MLB notes: Cuban players faced with tough choices
Yasmany Tomas had three choices to continue his baseball career: stay in Cuba and make up to $2,500 a month, play in Japan with a shot at a million-dollar contract, or give up family and life on the island in hopes of hitting the jackpot in the major leagues.
The 24-year-old Cuban slugger opted for life in the U.S., and all the changes that come with it, signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks for $68.5 million for six seasons.
While travel and business restrictions between the United States and Cuba are being eased, it’s not clear when Tomas will see his family again. It could be years before they’re together once more, whether in the states or on the communist island, as he’s given up his right to return to his former life.
Tomas and dozens of players navigate those choices and life changes with their families through uncharted political waters, as the U.S. and Cuba began 2015 with steps to improve rocky relations.
Optimism in both countries and demand from U.S. teams are clearly growing despite the complicated landscape. The governments have made few tangible policy changes that significantly impact players, their relatives and the game. Baseball is treading carefully, not wanting to step on diplomatic toes.
There were 74 Cubans on major or minor league rosters on opening day, 11 more than last year and more than double the 29 in 2008.
Tomas said he passed on offers from Japanese teams, leaving behind his immediate family and a then 8-month-old daughter.
He is focused on life’s new encounters: autograph seekers, income taxes, local traffic laws. The sport and its universal language help the transition.
Away from the field, his thoughts drift home to Havana, where a flat-screen TV and new Chinese refrigerator are some of the perks his newfound riches have provided his family.
“It would be something good, beautiful, to be able to be with your family after so much time without seeing them,” Tomas said.
Clearing the bases
Cincinnati manager Bryan Price apologized to reporters before the Brewers-Reds game for a profanity-laced tirade during a pregame meeting a day earlier. Price said he used “a lot of bad language that I feel bad for in the aftermath. And I apologize for that.” … Boston DH David Ortiz was suspended for one game and fined by MLB for making contact with umpire John Tumpane during the fifth inning of Sunday’s game against Baltimore. … Former Navy second lieutenant Mitch Harris was recalled by the Cardinals for his MLB debut. The Hall of Fame says it believes the only Naval Academy graduate to appear in the major leagues was pitcher Nemo Gaines for the 1921 Washington Senators. … MLB suspended the Royals’ Kelvin Herrera for five games and fined him and Yordano Ventura after a testy series against Oakland over the weekend. … Left-hander Ian Thomas was recalled by Atlanta, which made the move one day after LHP Andrew McKirahan was suspended for 80 games following a positive test for a banned substance.