Photo of Blue Jays' youngsters Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette

The Toronto Blue Jays have found a home for the abbreviated 2020 MLB season. The team announced Friday it will play most of its home games at Sahlen Field, its Triple-A-affiliate ballpark in Buffalo, New York

The announcement caps a week of chaos for the Blue Jays and the MLB. Last Saturday, the Canadian government denied the team’s request to play home games at Roger’s Centre. In the following days, the team explored the possibility of playing games at Camden Yards and PNC Park.

Playing in Baltimore at one point seemed to be the likely outcome — and it never completely fell off the table. However, the Blue Jays feared waiting for the state of Maryland’s decision just to have the proposal turned down. Hence, the team considered playing in Buffalo the safest option, given the need for a quick fix.

“We are extremely grateful to have a home in Buffalo this season, thanks to the openness, creativity, and partnership of the Buffalo Bisons, Major League Baseball, and Blue Jays staff, who have worked tirelessly to prepare us for games at Sahlen Field,” Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro said Friday in a statement, per multiple sources, including ESPN.

“This process has no doubt tested our team’s resilience,” he said in the statement. “But our players and staff refuse to make excuses. We are determined to take the field on Opening Day today, and for the coming months, with the same intensity and competitiveness that our fans expect.”

Toronto’s first home series,, against the Washington Nationals, — originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday — will take place in Washington, D.C. to allow the Blue Jays to ensure Sahlen Field complies with the MLB’s playing standards and COVID-19 safety requirements.

The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath reports that it remains unclear how long the upgrades will take. However, the Blue Jays plan to begin playing at Sahlen Field on July 31 against the Phillies or Aug. 11 against the Marlins.