The Venezuelan winter league has suspended play in the wake of the United States’ military action in Caracas, leaving players in uncertain situations.
That group includes Dodgers reliever Edgardo Henriquez, a Venezuelan native who was pitching for La Tiburones de la Guaira in Caracas, the Venezuelan capitol. One of the Dodgers’ top prospects, outfielder Eduardo Quintero (another Venezuelan native) also played briefly for the same team.
“We’ve been in contact with our guys and are trying to assist in any way we can obviously,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said.
The league plans to resume play in its postseason later this week. The Caribbean Series (scheduled to begin on Feb. 1) has already been moved from Caracas to Guadalajara, Mexico when winter leagues in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico expressed safety and travel concerns about playing in Venezuela.
“I don’t really care about the baseball side of it right now. I just want to make sure our guys are in a good place and we’re trying to help out where we can,” Gomes said.
“Everybody is in a good place right now seemingly. It’s a little slower than anybody would like. Our goal is to stay in contact with them and do whatever we can to help them get out as soon as we can.”
In order to help Henriquez return to the United States, the Dodgers will face some challenges.
Commercial air travel in and out of Venezuela has been significantly impacted by last week’s removal of the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro. Traveling to the U.S. more than a month before the start of spring training could also create issues with visas.
The Dodgers have two other Venezuelan players on their major-league roster – veteran infielder Miguel Rojas and right-hander Brusdar Graterol. Both have spent the offseason in the United States.
Henriquez had four saves in six appearances for La Guaira, striking out seven in six scoreless innings.