MLB Cancels Cubs-Cardinals London Series in June

Major League Baseball has canceled its London Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement in a memorandum sent to MLB employees on Wednesday.

"We made the decision because it was unlikely the events would go forward, and timely cancellation allowed us to preserve important financial resources," Manfred wrote. "We also have canceled agreements with service providers and delayed projects that involve large capital expenditures."

MLB played in Europe for the first time last June 29-30, when the New York Yankees swept a pair of games from the Boston Red Sox in London.

Opening Day was to have been March 26, but MLB has delayed the start of its season until mid-May at the earliest. The NBA, NHL and all other major sports leagues are currently on hold. Like the United States, Great Britain has been hard hit by the virus.

MLB had already canceled two series scheduled for this season, in Mexico City and San Juan, Puerto Rico.