Hurricane Milton tore through the Tampa Bay area two weeks ago and the Tampa Bay Rays may need to find a new home stadium as a result.
The translucent fiberglass dome at Tropicana Park was severely damaged by Milton’s winds — leaving only a few bits of the roof atop the building. As the Rays work to determine the severity of the damage both atop and inside the stadium, Major League Baseball is hoping to find a nearby temporary home for the Rays if Tropicana is not ready by Opening Day.
“We’re hopeful that we can figure out something in [the Tampa Bay area] for them and that the repairs can be done in a way that allows them to resume playing,” Manfred said on an episode of “The Varsity” podcast published Sunday. “The easiest thing is always to stay in the market where the clubs are anchored, if we can manage it.”
Possible options for the Rays include Spring Training facilities in the area that are used by the Tigers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Phillies and Pirates. Additionally, Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex near Orlando features a ballpark that could be utilized.
While there had been some murmurs of the Rays sharing the Miami Marlins’ stadium or playing some of their home games in Montreal, both of those options are very unlikely. The stadium in Montreal is currently undergoing renovation and would not be ready for the 2025 season, and sharing Miami’s park would cause massive scheduling challenges.
Tampa Bay is scheduled to play its first home game on March 27.
“The one thing I can tell you for sure, they’re playing next year. We’re going to find them someplace to do it,” Manfred said on the podcast.