Blue Jays slated to host 16 Grapefruit contests

Spring Training games officially begin on Feb. 24 against the Orioles

By Gregor Chisholm

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TORONTO -- The Blue Jays will host 16 games at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium when Spring Training opens in February.

Toronto released its schedule for next year's Grapefruit League games on Tuesday. It will feature one trip from the American League champion Tigers, while all four AL East rivals are scheduled for at least one game.

The schedule opens at home on Feb. 24 with a game against the Orioles. That marks the start of a four-game homestand, with the Red Sox, Twins and Astros also making the drive to Dunedin, Fla.

Tickets will become available for purchase on Wednesday. That's when three-game Flex Packs and group tickets go on sale, while the sale of single-game tickets begins on Dec. 6.

The complete Spring Training schedule -- including road dates -- won't be made available until later in the offseason. Last year, the Blue Jays didn't start their Grapefruit League season until March 3, but the schedule begins earlier this year in part because of the World Baseball Classic.

Gregor Chisholm is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, North of the Border, and follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB.