With the risk of exposure to the Zika virus, the Pirates "would currently prefer not to travel to Puerto Rico" for their two-game series against the Marlins in May, according to Bill Brink of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Pirates P Tony Watson said, "Right now, no, we don't want to. We don't want to go down there, because there's too much risk. We don't have all the facts either. We'll see where it goes." Brink notes the teams are scheduled to play two games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in the capital city of San Juan on May 30-31. When asked if the players would boycott the trip, Watson said, "I hope we don't have to get there. I guess you never know." Pirates manager Clint Hurdle: "The one challenge now, supposedly from whoever we’re talking with, is the Zika virus is also in L.A., it’s also in Miami. Smaller scale right now. You’re not going to go play in Miami? You’re not going to play in L.A.? Puerto Rico? There’s a lot of conversation that needs to be had, obviously sooner than later" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/22). YAHOO SPORTS' Jeff Passan noted the virus "has been linked to birth defects in babies." Sources said that that is a "worry for multiple players who have considered having children in the near future." Sources added that other players "have expressed no apprehension about the series in Puerto Rico, and the lack of unanimity inside the clubhouses has clouded the decision about how to proceed" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/20). MLB and Pirates officials have said that they "expect the games to go on as planned." In Pittsburgh, Rob Biertempfel notes the league and MLBPA "are receiving updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 4/22).
