MLB relocates series from Puerto Rico to Miami due to Zika virus

Major League Baseball "had no choice" but to move the series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins from Puerto Rico to Miami because of concerns of the Zika virus, MLB announced on Friday.

The two-game series was scheduled to be played May 30-31 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico to celebrate Roberto Clemente Day. Instead, the games will relocate to Miami's Marlins Park.

MLB said in a statement that "numerous players expressed concerns about contracting and potentially transmitting the Zika virus to their partners."

Earlier this week, both the players and staff received full briefings from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the disease. The virus causes devastating birth defects and is strongly linked to a variety of serious neurological conditions, including a form of paralysis called Guillain-Barre syndrome.

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But because "too many regulars on both clubs" objected from traveling, commissioner Rob Manfred "had no choice but to relocate the games."

In lieu of the games, MLB will host community events in Puerto Rico later this month. Manfred and several former players will be in attendance.

The matchup would have marked MLB's first games in Puerto Rico since the Marlins and New York Mets played in 2010. Hiram Bithorn Stadium hosted several games for the Montreal Expos in 2003 and 2004.