Ten KC Royals can't make Toronto road trip starting Thursday over Canada's COVID vaccine requirement

Prior to Royals-Blue Jays series, total of just 25 players from around MLB have not been able to play in Canada because of vaccination mandate

By Dace Potas

Published: July 14, 2022 10:10am

Updated: July 14, 2022 1:17pm

Ten Kansas City Royals – including six starters – won't be able to make the pro baseball team's road trip this week to Toronto because they have not complied with the country's continuing COVID-19 vaccination policy for visitors.

The 10 unvaccinated players will be place on the team's restricted list prior its trip to Toronto to play the Blue Jays, according to The Athletic.

Canada continues to bar all unvaccinated travelers from entering the country, including pro athletes. The United States has a similar policy.

While other Major League Baseball teams have faced the same situation this season, the Royals have been hit hardest by the mandate. Prior to this Royals vs. Blue Jays series, a total of just 25 players from around the league have not been able to play in Canada because of the vaccination requirement.

The four-game series starts Thursday.

The Royals are losing top pitchers Brady Singer and Brad Keller as well as Dylan Coleman, who leads the team in starts.

The team will also be without catchers Cam Gallagher and M.J. Melendez.

"At the end of the day, it's their choice," Royals President Dayton Moore said all of the players, The Athletic also reports. ”We've always been an organization that promotes and encourages individual choices.”