MLB Teams Rushed Venezuelan Players Back to U.S. After Military Strike

Executives worked quickly to get Venezuelan players to the U.S. ahead of spring training amid concerns over their safety.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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After the U.S. launched a military strike on Venezuela on January 3, MLB teams worked quickly to get their Venezuelan players back to the U.S. ahead of spring training. Most of those who stayed behind have since been able to secure visas without navigating tougher-than-usual logistical hurdles, according to several front-office executives and agents.

Why it matters

The rush to get Venezuelan players back to the U.S. highlights the challenges MLB teams face in dealing with geopolitical tensions and immigration issues that can disrupt their operations and player availability. It also raises questions about the long-term viability of having so many Venezuelan players in the league given the ongoing instability in their home country.

The details

Teams started the visa process much earlier than usual, with one agent saying they've "never dealt with a team in December trying to process visas." While most Venezuelan players were able to secure visas and report to spring training on time, some faced long delays, with one player spending over three weeks in limbo before traveling to Arizona.

  • The U.S. launched a military strike on Venezuela on January 3, 2026.
  • Spring training for MLB teams began in camps throughout Florida and Arizona this week.

The players

Robert Suarez

Atlanta Braves reliever who is one of the few Venezuelan players to report late to spring training.

Moises Ballesteros

Chicago Cubs catcher who is one of the few Venezuelan players to report late to spring training.

Jackson Chourio

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder who was playing winter ball in Venezuela when the U.S. launched the military operation, but was urged by Brewers personnel to come to the U.S. for safety reasons.

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What they’re saying

“We were proactive in having our [Venezuelan] players come out early.”

— Perry Minasian, Angels general manager (ESPN)

“They're under a lot of pressure. They want to play for their country, and locally there's pressure. I understand that. But we have to make sure they're safe.”

— Matt Arnold, Brewers president of baseball operations (ESPN)

What’s next

The U.S. embassy in Caracas is expected to eventually reopen, and commercial airlines are scheduled to resume direct flights from Venezuela to the U.S. after a seven-year hiatus, which could make the process of getting Venezuelan players to their teams easier in the near future.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges MLB teams face in dealing with geopolitical tensions and immigration issues that can disrupt their operations and player availability. It also raises questions about the long-term viability of having so many Venezuelan players in the league given the ongoing instability in their home country.