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Walt Disney World to host Tampa Bay Rays spring training

Rays’ facilities in Southwest Florida damaged by hurricane

A sign marking the entrance to ESPN's Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World is seen Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. The NBA has told the National Basketball Players Association that it will present a 22-team plan for restarting the season at Disney. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

ORLANDO, Fla. – Mickey Mouse — meet Raymond! Major League Baseball is coming back to Walt Disney World Resort in 2023, News4JAX sister station WKMG reports.

Walt Disney World on Tuesday announced it has come to an agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays to host the team’s spring training at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

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The move comes after the team’s facilities in Port Charlotte were damaged by Hurricane Ian back in September. Walt Disney World Resort said it is looking forward to providing professional-grade facilities and world-famous hospitality to the players and coaches.

“We are thankful for Disney’s willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs,” Rays team president Matt Silverman said. “ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp up to the season.”

Major League spring training workouts run from Feb. 6 through March 1, with early arrivals reporting on Feb. 6. Pitchers and catchers will report the following week on Feb. 14.

Tampa Bay is entering 2023 with high expectations after making it to the playoffs for the last four seasons, WKMG reports.

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