WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, offered the following statement in response to an announcement from Major League Baseball which will permit Cuban players with a safe and legal path to play for U.S. ball clubs:

“I welcome the announcement from Major League Baseball.  For far too long, Cuban ball players who wish to join U.S. clubs have had to risk making dangerous journeys or indebting themselves to human traffickers.  This agreement will put an end to these dangerous practices, while extending greater freedom to the Cuban people and enhancing our shared national pastime.” 

“I remain concerned about the Cuban government’s horrendous record on human rights.  As I have long advocated, however, greater engagement – not isolation – is required to increase liberties and freedoms for the Cuban people.  This announcement from the MLB is a prime example of this.”

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