Texas Rangers: Opening Day will not be played in Seattle

Per an official club statement, the Texas Rangers first series of the season at the Seattle Mariners will not be played in Seattle due to coronavirus concerns.

As Spring Training draws to an end and Texas Rangers fans begin to look toward the start of the regular season, a new wrinkle has been thrown into Opening Day as the series scheduled at the Seattle Mariners will no longer be played in Seattle.

The decision to move the opening series of the season comes after Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced that gathers of 250 or more people are prohibited in an attempt to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This announcement was preceded by many conversations between the Governor and the CDC (Center for Disease Control). Washington State was also the location of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 to originate in the United States. Shortly after, the Mariners and Rangers both released statements noting that they were looking into alternatives to open up the season.

This change in schedule is just the latest of many changes to the sporting world due to the fear surrounding the virus. Italy recently postponed their Series A games until late April at the earliest and several NCAA conferences across the country are canceling their postseason tournaments prior to March Madness. Various other leagues and teams have made the decision to limit locker room access and play without fans in the arenas.

It is also believed that a similar restriction will be brought down across California which would restrict the San Fransisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers to their spring training facilities as well. The restriction is expected to stay in place at least through April and may be extended further into the season due to public health concerns.

As of now, there has been no signal that the Rangers will see their home opener affected. Texas is set to open up Globe Life Field this season and as of now, that plan still seems on course.