Rob Manfred sees possible presence of MLB players in Los Angeles 2028 Olympic baseball

United States – The commissioner of Major League Baseball, Rob Manfred, was optimistic about the eventual participation of Major League players in the baseball tournament of the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles.

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After a meeting of owners held on Thursday, the leader indicated that talks are advancing to reach an agreement with the MLB Players Association, an essential requirement for active players to compete in the Olympic event. The tournament would be held from July 13 to 19 at Dodger Stadium, coinciding with an extended break from the All-Star Game.

Manfred stated that the negotiations are closer to materializing than on previous occasions and highlighted the existing momentum between the parties to resolve outstanding issues. As he pointed out, the possibility of competing on American soil represents a unique opportunity for international projection for baseball. The last time Los Angeles hosted a Summer Olympics was in 1984, when baseball was part of the program as an exhibition sport. On that occasion, the United States obtained second place after falling to Japan in the final. That university team had figures who would later be Major League stars, such as “Barry Larkin”, “Mark McGwire” and “Will Clark”. If the participation of active MLB players in 2028 is confirmed, it would be the first time in history that the professional baseball elite competes in the Olympic Games, which would expand the sport’s international showcases alongside events such as the World Baseball Classic.