Baseball may be America’s pastime, but even MLB isn’t immune to the fastballs of U.S. policy. As the Trump administration tightens travel restrictions, international players now find themselves caught in an unexpected rundown. With visa rules shifting like a midseason trade, teams, players, and fans brace for impact—because in this game, even politics can change the lineup.

President Donald Trump’s integration of the travel ban has created a big problem for MLB and some of its biggest players.

An immigration lawyer named Amy Maldonado who handles the visas of baseball players said that it would majorly affect the younger ones and minor league players. It could also affect the coaches, staff members, and scouts to some level.

Cuba and Venezuela are expected on the list for Full Visa Suspension. This means that some big MLB players like Ronald Acuna Jr. But it is also reported that there are going to be exceptions for such players. The players usually get green cards which could protect them. However, the government has given no statement on this.

If politics can rewrite the rulebook, then MLB may need a new playbook. While stars might slide into green card safety, younger players might get stranded in a bureaucratic pickle. With Opening Day on deck and no clear call from the government, one thing is certain—this isn’t just about baseball anymore, it’s about who gets to play the game at all.

Donald Trump takes a swing at MLB for handling Pete Rose wrongly

Baseball has its fair share of scandals, but few legacies are as tangled as Pete Rose’s. He was the all-time hit leader, a relentless competitor, and yet, exiled from the sport he dominated. Now, Donald Trump has stepped up to the plate, blasting MLB’s judgment with the force of a grand slam. Is this justice served or just another curveball?

Pete Rose may not have MLB‘s sympathy, but he sure does have the sympathy of the President. Trump declared on Truth Social that he is looking to pardon Pete Rose. “Over the next few weeks I will be signing a complete pardon of Pete Rose, who shouldn’t have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on his team winning. He never betted against himself, or the other team. He had the most hits, by far, in baseball history, and won more games than anyone in sports history.”

Rose was a loyal player and never bet against his team or himself. He always bet for his team to win and this showed his dedication to winning. And when this pardoning happens, the big question of his Hall of Fame induction might come up again.

But will MLB play ball? Rose’s stats are immortal, yet his sins remain unforgiven in Cooperstown. Trump’s pardon may rewrite that narrative, but will the Hall of Fame follow suit, or will baseball’s gatekeepers keep their rulebook tighter than their nostalgia?

But one thing’s certain—Pete Rose is still making headlines, even if his plaque remains missing.