MLB Rumors: Disaster Forcing Rays To Borrow Yankees’ Ballpark

The Rays aren’t beating the “little brother” allegations any time soon.

Tampa Bay is planning to play the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees, according to Colleen Wright and Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Yes, you read that correctly.

The Rays have been looking for an interim home since Hurricane Milton caused major damage to Tropicana Field, with a repair plan revealing it won’t be playable until 2026. Tampa Bay is already planning on moving to a new stadium, Gas Plant Stadium, by Opening Day in 2028, so an eventual return to “The Trop” will only be temporary.

MLB reportedly preferred Steinbrenner Field as the temporary home over BayCare Ballpark, the spring home of the Philadelphia Phillies, as it has the largest capacity (11,026) of the spring stadiums, suites, club areas, social spaces and cabana seating, plus other upgrades from a $40 million renovation in 2017.

The Rays are used to playing in front of minor league crowds, and now they’ll be playing in a minor league stadium to match.