In an unexpected turn of events, as Venezuela puts a hold on its winter baseball activities, Major League Baseball (MLB) teams are closely monitoring their players in the region.
The recent U.S. military action against Caracas and the arrest of Nicolás Maduro have surprisingly had little effect on MLB operations. This is mainly due to the timing of Maduro's capture and subsequent extradition to New York, where he recently appeared in court on January 5, pleading not guilty to serious drug trafficking allegations.
Nonetheless, the situation in Venezuela is precarious, raising immediate concerns and broader implications as the baseball season approaches February. The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, known as Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, decided to postpone its playoffs following the early morning raid on January 3. However, they have announced that play will resume on Wednesday, January 7, after a brief four-day hiatus.
MLB teams are making a concerted effort to stay connected with their personnel in Venezuela during this uncertain time. As Chris Getz, the general manager of the Chicago White Sox, shared with USA TODAY Sports, the team has established a dedicated chat group for players and staff to ensure everyone’s safety and maintain open lines of communication. He noted, "It's all been positive regarding safety. There is some anxiety about the unknowns, but many seem hopeful that better days are on the horizon for their families."
The winter baseball playoffs in Venezuela feature a five-team, 16-game round-robin format that runs through January. Notably, several MLB players are participating, including Jackson Chourio, an outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, who hit a game-winning home run for his club, Aguilas del Zulia, just before the unrest began.
Chourio, like many other MLB players involved in winter leagues across the Caribbean, was only expected to participate in part of the postseason before shifting focus to prepare for the Brewers' upcoming 2026 season. Spring training for Major League teams kicks off on February 9; however, players typically begin workouts at or near their facilities well ahead of this date.
Jackson Chourio is among 63 Venezuelan players on MLB opening day rosters, making up the second-largest group of foreign players, trailing only the Dominican Republic, which boasts 100 players. Matt Arnold, the president of baseball operations for the Brewers, mentioned to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that while information is scarce, the organization is actively trying to keep updated on the situation. He noted, "We know the airports have been shut down, but not much beyond that."
Travel between the U.S. and Venezuela has become increasingly complicated over the last 25 years, stemming from heightened scrutiny of passports and visas post-9/11. In 2002, political turmoil in Venezuela, marked by a general strike and a brief coup against then-president Hugo Chavez, led many experienced players and MLB staff members to establish residence in the United States.
Notable Hall of Fame players like Miguel Cabrera and Salvador Perez have acquired U.S. citizenship. However, for younger athletes, crossing borders has become more challenging. After severing diplomatic relations with Venezuela and closing its embassy in 2019, the U.S. requires players to obtain visas from nearby Colombia or other Latin American countries before they can travel.
Due to these complications, MLB franchises have become accustomed to closely monitoring their players and staff in Venezuela during the winter months, a practice that has taken on increased urgency recently. Looking ahead, Venezuela is gearing up to compete in the World Baseball Classic in March, with catcher Salvador Perez slated to serve as team captain. Stars such as Ronald Acuña Jr. and Jose Altuve have also shown interest in rejoining the national team. The tournament will kick off for Venezuela on March 6 with a game against the Netherlands at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
Contributing: Bob Nightengale.
