Blue Jays installing new artificial turf at Rogers Centre for 2021

The Toronto Blue Jays will have a new artificial playing surface at Rogers Centre in time for the 2021 season. Team president Mark Shapiro announced the plans on Friday, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.

Shapiro said the new design would feature fewer seams in the surface and provide improved safety for the players.

"We went through an extensive (request for proposal), a massive amount of testing over the fall of different applications, and we're going to continue that testing when we think about the fill of turf," Shapiro said.

"During spring training we're going to have a test plot down and have our players on it to think about what we do with the fill. Largely been happy with the turf that we've had in the way that it's played. But we're now looking, thinking player safety."

The new artificial surface will be affixed to the ground, not easily removable like it has been in the past, and will also have a shock pad beneath the surface to result in truer ball bounces.

However, it is unknown how soon the Blue Jays will be able to test out the turf in regular-season games, as the border between Canada and the United States remains closed indefinitely. Shapiro said he's optimistic the Jays will be able to return to Toronto during 2021 and maybe even for Opening Day.

Rogers Centre will be adding new batting cages to its facilities in addition to the turf.