Salt Lake Bees Finally Start 2021 Season After Long Layoff

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Salt Lake Bees haven’t played a baseball game since Sept. 2, 2019 but they will start the 2021 season on Thursday against Reno.

Minor league baseball was canceled last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which kept the Salt Lake Bees off the field for 612 days.

Salt Lake will begin the 2021 season facing the team they last played in 2019, the Reno Aces. The Aces took that series 2-1 at Smith’s Ballpark. Now Reno will come back to Salt Lake City for two straight three-game series. Then they will play two straight three-game series with the Tacoma Rainers, playing 12-straight games at home.

The opening day roster for the Bees features 10 former Salt Lake players and 18 players with Major League experience. Jo Adell is back with the Bees and is ranked by Baseball America as the Angels top prospect and No. 11 overall in baseball. Former Bingham High and BYU star Brennon Lund is entering his second season with the Bees.

Happy #OpeningDay @SaltLakeBees 🐝!!

📷: Deseret News pic.twitter.com/pPV6PtK7Bo

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 6, 2021

The pitchers include Jaime Barria, Boomer Biegalski, Jake Faria, Thomas Pannone, Dillon Peters, Jose Quijada, Noe Ramirez, A.J. Ramos, Jake Reed, Zac Ryan, Patrick Sandoval, Jose Suarez, Andrew Wantz and Austin Warren.

Position players include Jo Adell, Luis Aviles Jr., Phil Gosselin, Jon Jay, Jack Kruger, Juan Lagares, Brennon Lund, Luis Rengifo, Matt Thaiss, Taylor Ward and Kean Wong.

Good morning! It's Opening Day! pic.twitter.com/otJCHXV7sV

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) May 6, 2021

The Bees are allowing 3,200 fans to attend the game, which they will be required to wear masks and be socially distanced. For more information on the health and safety protocols, click here.

First pitch in the season opener will be at 6:35 p.m. MDT.