"Although today is pitchers and catchers reporting day in Mesa, Arizona for Chicago Cubs camp, there are a trio of players who are supposed to be in that group but are not yet at Spring Training. Craig Counsell says Moises Ballesteros, Javier Assad, and Christian Bethancourt are currently delayed by visa issues, per Meghan Montemurro: Moises Ballesteros is expected to get the first crack at the designated"
"hitter job with this year's big league team, Javier Assad is expected to compete for a rotation or bullpen spot, and Christian Bethancourt is expected to be the veteran depth catcher at Triple-A Iowa. Hopefully this will be an exceedingly short-term issue, and I think it's important to keep in mind that (brief) visa issues for international players is not entirely unique to the current era."
"This kind of thing happens periodically, and it's not usually any reason to freak out. That said, given the extra attention being paid to immigration and border security right now - plus travel issues for players in Venezuela related to the tumult there - it'll be extra comforting to know all Chicago Cubs players, big league and minor league, are in the States and good to go."
Pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Arizona for Chicago Cubs camp, but three players are not yet at Spring Training due to visa delays. Moises Ballesteros, Javier Assad, and Christian Bethancourt are currently delayed by visa issues. Ballesteros is slated to get the first crack at the designated hitter job, Assad is expected to compete for a rotation or bullpen spot, and Bethancourt is expected to serve as veteran depth catcher at Triple-A Iowa. Brief visa issues for international players happen periodically and are usually short-term and not cause for alarm. Heightened immigration scrutiny and travel problems in Venezuela increase concern until all Cubs players are stateside.
Read at Bleacher Nation
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