The preparations for the return of baseball to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are underway, but a key issue remains unresolved: whether Major League Baseball (MLB) players will participate. Casey Wasserman, the president of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Organizing Committee, has started to clear the obstacles for the highly - anticipated return of baseball. Dodger Stadium has been chosen as the venue, but the big question of whether MLB stars will play is still up in the air.
Sam Connon emphasized in his article for Fastball on SI that neither MLB nor the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has made a final decision on whether to allow MLB players to participate. Wasserman explained that conversations with both sides have begun and the atmosphere is positive, although there are difficulties. He said, "We have had extensive conversations with the league and the MLBPA. I think they all realize this is a unique opportunity. There are complexities, but we are all working together to see if we can achieve the ideal result, which is obviously to have MLB players participate."
The schedule is a major obstacle. The opening ceremony of the Olympics is scheduled for July 14, 2028, which coincides with MLB's usual All - Star break. Modifying or extending this break could be a way to add an Olympic break to the schedule, as the National Hockey League (NHL) has done in previous Winter Olympics. However, due to climate issues in some stadiums, starting the season earlier or extending it into the fall may not be feasible.
