Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) are engaged in early-stage negotiations regarding the potential participation of big-league players in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. While both parties have expressed mutual interest in the prospect, the league has introduced a proposal that would make participation mandatory for selected players, a move the union has characterized as “extreme.”
The Proposal: Mandatory Participation and Penalties
The league’s proposal, reviewed by *The Athletic*, seeks to ensure that if MLB disrupts its regular-season schedule for the Olympic Games, the sport’s top talent will be on the field. Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized the logistical burden of the event, stating that because the league is undertaking a “disruptive” pause to the season, it is essential that the “very best” players participate to showcase the game. Under the current proposal, any player selected for the Olympics who declines to participate without an excused absence would face significant repercussions. These players would be placed on the restricted list from July 10 through August 3, 2028. During this period, players would receive no salary and would not accrue service time. The league also reserves the right to impose additional fines.
Addressing Potential Loopholes
To prevent teams or players from using the injury list as a workaround to avoid Olympic participation, the league has included strict provisions. Players on the injured list as of July 9 would be excused from the Games; however, they would be barred from returning to regular-season play or beginning a rehab assignment until August 4, regardless of their health or readiness to play. The league explicitly stated in its proposal that it intends to prevent any attempts to manipulate the injury list, noting that it may apply heightened scrutiny to any requests to place would-be Olympians on the injured list during the 2028 season. Absences for reasons other than injury would be granted only at the sole discretion of the commissioner’s office, which would evaluate claims of health risks or other exceptional circumstances. Furthermore, the league aims to protect the integrity of the midseason All-Star Game. The proposal includes measures to deter players from skipping the All-Star Game while planning to participate in the Olympics. Should a player decline the All-Star Game, the league would have the authority to declare them ineligible for the Olympics, subjecting them to the same fines and restricted list penalties.
Proposed 2028 Midseason Schedule
The potential inclusion of MLB players would require a significant adjustment to the 2028 regular-season schedule. The current tentative plan includes: | Event | Date | | :— | :— | | First Half Conclusion | July 9 | | All-Star Game | July 11 | | Olympic Baseball Phase | July 13–19 | | Regular Season Resumption | July 21 | The baseball tournament, as outlined by the IOC, would feature a six-team field split into two groups of three. Following a round-robin stage, the top team from each group would advance to the semifinals, while the remaining four teams would compete in a single-elimination quarterfinal round.
Negotiation Hurdles and Context
While the mandatory participation clause is a primary point of contention, other logistical challenges remain. MLB spokesperson Glen Caplin noted that the union has been engaged in separate negotiations with LA28 regarding economic issues, including hotel amenities and ticket allocations for players. MLBPA executive director Bruce Meyer confirmed that the union is in the early stages of discussions and is currently reviewing the league’s proposal. The union is expected to offer a counterproposal, potentially leveraging the mandatory participation clause to secure additional accommodations for players. MLB players have never appeared in the Olympics, and the resolution of these negotiations will determine whether the 2028 Games mark the first time big leaguers compete on the Olympic stage.
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