An aerial view of the Hiram Bithorn Stadium as Puerto Rico plays Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Series baseball tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
An aerial view of the Hiram Bithorn Stadium as Puerto Rico plays Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Series baseball tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) Credit: Ricardo Arduengo

New York — Zika virus concerns have forced the Pirates-Marlins series out of Puerto Rico, with baseball saying the two games will instead be played this month in Miami.

Major League Baseball and the players union made the announcement Friday. Pittsburgh and Miami will meet May 30-31 at Marlins Park.

The union had asked Commissioner Rob Manfred to relocate the games after several players expressed fears about getting and possibly transmitting the Zika virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said Zika can cause a birth defect called microcephaly, where infants are born with unusually small heads. The virus is most often spread by mosquito bites, but it also can be spread through sexual intercourse.

The CDC had spoken to players and staff from the Pirates and Marlins about the potential risks.

Pittsburgh and the Marlins were originally scheduled to play the series in Miami when the original draft of the schedule was made last year.

On Nov. 19, MLB said the games would be played in Puerto Rico, the homeland of Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente and many other big leaguers.

Yanks’ Sabathia on DL

New York — Just after his best outing this season, CC Sabathia was put on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Yankees because of a strained left groin.

The 35-year-old left-hander allowed six hits in seven shutout innings at Baltimore on Wednesday and struck out six, stopping the Yankees’ six-game losing streak.

Last-place New York is 9-17, its worst start since 1991. Before Wednesday’s game, designated hitter Alex Rodriguez went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.

Angels Ace Out

Anaheim, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels ace Garrett Richards is expected to need surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow, sidelining him into next season.

Yahoo Sports first reported the apparently serious blow to the Angels, who have four starters sidelined in various stages of recovery from arm injuries.

He went 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 2014 before requiring season-ending knee surgery that August. Richards then went 15-12 last season, and he signed a one-year, $6.425 million deal for the current season to avoid arbitration.

Lincecum Auditions For Scouts

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum looked sharp in a 41-pitch showcase in front of scouts from nearly every major league club.

Throwing Friday at Scottsdale Stadium, Lincecum threw a mix of pitches in two sessions, consistently hitting 88 to 91 mph with his fastball.

Once one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers, the right-hander has fallen off in recent years as he’s dealt with hip issues.

Lincecum has not pitched since last June 27 with the San Francisco Giants and had arthroscopic surgery on his left hip on Sept. 3.

He said he felt good after the session and is hoping to catch on with a team soon, preferably as a starter.