NEW YORK — Following the impact of Hurricane Milton, officials in the Tampa area are being allowed additional time to address the situation surrounding the Rays’ ballpark. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized that there have been no discussions about permitting the team to consider relocating.

“Given the devastation in that area, it’s only fair to provide local governments in the Tampa Bay region the opportunity to assess their circumstances, including available resources and what they can accomplish,” Manfred stated at a press conference on Wednesday after a meeting with Major League Baseball (MLB) team owners.

In September 2023, Tampa Bay introduced a plan for a new stadium, but with the recent damage caused to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on October 9 due to Hurricane Milton, the Pinellas County Commission has yet to authorize financing bonds for the new venue. The Rays announced that they might not be able to open the new ballpark until 2029, if that even happens at all.

“We’re committed to our fans in Tampa Bay,” Manfred reiterated. “Considering all the recent developments in that market, our focus remains on our franchise in the Tampa Bay area for now.”

For the time being, the team will conduct their home games across the bay at Steinbrenner Field, the spring training facility of the New York Yankees located in Tampa.

“While we have arranged for an interim solution for 2025, it’s important to think beyond that,” Manfred noted. “If we enter another season, another interim setup is likely unless they manage to repair Tropicana Field. This second year of interim arrangements necessitates a clear plan for transitioning into a permanent facility.”