The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are fighting for the lead in the AL East to open the season. Both teams have played well and are expected to compete all year long in the division. So the cliche preview for their series next week will revolve around both teams needing “all hands on deck” or something of that nature. However, Red Sox manager Alex Cora recently made it clear that Boston will not have everyone available for the series due to Canada's covid vaccine mandate.

Cora recently stated that he expects to be without multiple unvaccinated players for the Red Sox' upcoming series against the Blue Jays in Toronto. The only confirmed unvaccinated player is starting pitcher Tanner Houck.

Tanner Houck commented on the situation.

“I’m bummed that I won’t be able to make that start. I think it’s a personal choice for everyone whether they get it or not. So, that’s all I really got to say on it.”

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MLB itself does not mandate the vaccine. The only city that previously required players to be vaccinated for outdoor MLB games was New York, but there was an exception made for athletes and performers prior to the season. The rule extended to indoor NBA games as well which was music to the ears of Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets.

Alex Cora will need to navigate his way through the Red Sox series against the Blue Jays without Houck and a potentially a number of other players. The Canada vaccine mandate will be something to monitor as the season progresses.