MLB changing Pirates' spring training schedule by creating pods for Grapefruit League teams

MLB is in the process of changing the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training schedule by creating pods for Grapefruit League games that would separate teams by their sites on Florida’s east and west coasts to reduce cross-state travel concerns during the covid-19 pandemic.

Changes that would affect the spring training schedule for 15 teams, first reported by The Athletic, were confirmed Monday afternoon by the Tribune-Review. Pirates pitchers and catchers are expected to report next Monday to Pirate City in Bradenton.

MLB in process of finalizing revised Grapefruit League schedule, placing teams in separate “pods” on east and west coasts of Florida, sources tell me and @MattGelb. West-coast teams in FL will play 28 games and east-coast teams 24, making up rest with intrasquad-type matchups.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2021

The west coast pod, which would include the Pirates and Baltimore Orioles, who play in nearby Sarasota, would be split into north and south divisions with teams playing 28 games. The west coast pod would feature five teams playing 24 games.

The other teams who conduct spring training in Florida and will be affected are the Atlanta Braves (North Port), Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins (Fort Myers), Detroit Tigers (Lakeland), Houston Astros and Washington Nationals (West Palm Beach), Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals (Jupiter) and New York Mets (Port St. Lucie), New York Yankees (Tampa), Philadelphia Phillies (Clearwater), Tampa Bay Rays (Port Charlotte) and Toronto Blue Jays (Dunedin).

The Pirates are scheduled to open their season at the Red Sox on Feb. 27, followed by the spring home opener against the Braves on Feb. 28 at LECOM Park. Tickets go on sale next Monday.