The Toronto Blue Jays have submitted a proposal to the federal government to return to Rogers Centre this season.
A spokesperson for the team said Monday that the Blue Jays asked for federal backing to return home after receiving support at the city and provincial levels.
The border between Canada and the United States is closed to non-essential travel until at least July 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baseball players crossing the border from the U.S. would be subject to a 14-day quarantine, unless the Jays receive permission from federal public health authorities to exempt or modify that condition.
Ottawa gave the NHL a travel exemption for the final two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs and recently approved a plan that will allow CFL players and staff to return to Canada without undergoing a full 14-day quarantine.
On Monday, the federal government eased restrictions at the border, allowing fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents to skip the quarantine when returning to Canada. While that doesn't immediately help the Jays, it's a sign things are progressing in the right direction for the team after 16 months of rigid travel restrictions.