Pittsburgh Pirates-Miami Marlins don't want to play in Puerto Rico

MIAMI -- Fears surrounding the Zika virus outbreak in Puerto Rico could force the cancellation of a two-game series scheduled between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Miami Marlins on May 30-31 in San Juan.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported a link between a death in Puerto Rico and the virus. The disease is projected to affect 700,000 of the country's 3.5 million people this summer.

Pirates and Marlins players told Major League Baseball recently that they wanted the series to move from Hiram Bithorn Stadium to Miami, Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday. Some executive and team personnel also back the switch.

Marlins player representative Tom Kohler said Tuesday that the players recently held a vote regarding whether they oppose the trip, and they reported their feelings to the Major League Baseball Players Association. He did not say which way the vote went, though he did call the news about the Zika virus' connection to Puerto Rico "shocking."

The threat of contracting the virus didn't keep about 100 scouts and baseball executives away this week to scout prospects in Puerto Rico, particularly high school shortstop Delvin Perez. He is considered a potential top-five pick in the June amateur draft.