All-Stars cornerback Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, first baseman in the Gold Glove and third baseman, respectively, and meal ticket 3-4 hitters in the squad, will not be allowed in Canada because they have not been vaccinated for COVID-19, said John Muziliak, COO Baseball, Sunday morning via Zoom.

Goldschmidt, who leads the National League on batting averages at 0.333, has 22 players and 74 throws after winning two rounds with one injury in Saturday’s 6-3 win here at Cincinnati. Arenado received three hits on Saturday to raise its average to 0.299 with 18 homers and 59 RBIs.

The two will rejoin the Cardinals in a three-game series next weekend in Washington, but the absence will be felt. They are among the most prominent players on one team who missed a series in Toronto.

Austin Romijn isn’t vaccinated either, backup catcher, and you’ll miss the ride. All three players will be placed on the restricted list and will not be paid while away from the team

Arenado said one of the reasons he was not vaccinated was because he and his wife wanted to start a family. He and Goldschmidt will be available to the media after Sunday’s game.

The Cardinals have several players from Memphis who grew up to go to Toronto. Catcher Evan Herrera, companion man Cory Spangenberg and defensive player Conner Capel will be added to the list to replace the three affected by COVID rules.

The The CDC notes that, despite the COVID vaccines They were developed rapidly, and research and development ‘on similar vaccines’ has been underway for decades. The group also says, “Hundreds of millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines safely.”