The fallout of Hurricane Miltons destruction to the Tampa community continues for the Rays. Given the extensive damage to the teams home Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., by the monster Category 3 storm, Tuesday the venue will unlikely be ready for the start of the 2025 MLB season on March 27 and outlined potential options for the AL East club to explore. Over the coming days and weeks, we expect to be able to a se s the true condition of Tropicana Field, in a statement on Oct. 10. In the meantime, we are working with law enforcement to secure the building. We ask for your patience at this time, and we encourage those who can, to donate to organizations in our community that are a sisting those directly impacted by these storms. An aerial view shows the damaged Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, in St. Petersburg, Florida. REUTERS The venue was being used as a shelter for first responders. REUTERS Explore More A report from the Tampa Bay Times suggests the venue wont Anthony Banda Jersey be ready for MLB Opening Day in March 2025. REUTERS In addition to the roof, which was installed in 1990, the Tampa Bay Times reported there are indications of extensive damage elsewhere, specifically some team offices on the fourth floor, which had drop ceilings under the overall roof, are now open to the elements. Building acce s has also been narrowed due to safety concerns. Among the most pre sing matters the Rays have to addre s is whether the team is looking at a short-term or long-term alternative. Hurricane Milton tore through the Tampa area in October 2024. AP Weather, location and scheduling conflicts would be among the variables to be weighed. While spring training facilities such as Tampas Steinbrenner Field and BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater have local appeal, they are without roofs, which opens the door to po sible weather delays. Upgrades would also be needed to host regular-season games, per the report. Charlotte Sports Park, the Rays spring facility in Port Charlotte, Fla., and Disneys Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista were also highlighted as po sibilities but pose similar drawbacks. An interior shot of Tropicana Field in 2020. Getty Images The report also illustrated the po sibility of the Rays competing outside of the Sunshine State in North Carolina, where their Triple-A team is based, as there are scheduling conflicts aplenty with nearby option LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. The Rays have called Tropicana Field home since 1998. Theyre set to relocate to a new venue ahead of the 2028 season. Tropicana Field was being used as a shelter for first responders before Miltons extensive impact. Daniel Hudson Jersey