JAYS PLAYERS PUSHED FOR EARLY MOVE NORTH

The heat will soon be on for the Toronto Blue Jays and they’re ready to make their escape. As the weather becomes an issue in Dunedin, the Jays will wrap up their final homestand at TD Ballpark May 24 before moving to Buffalo for their next “home” start June 1. GM Ross Atkins said the decision to move out of their Florida spring training home sooner rather than mid-june was in part driven by the players. Weather and blinding sun during the early innings were an issue at TD Ballpark. “The option and alternatives and our players preference were the two things,” Atkins said. “Weighing the weather, the facility and how it plays ... and the players ultimately felt that was the best timing and the best decision.” To make room for the Jays, Toronto’s Buffalo AAA team is playing its home games in Trenton, N.J., this season.