As Venezuela pauses winter baseball, MLB teams keep tabs on players

For now, the instability in Venezuela following the United States’ attack on Caracas has had minimal impact on Major League Baseball, thanks largely to the timing of president Nicolás Maduro’s capture and transfer to New York, where on Jan. 5 he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges.

Still, there are immediate affects in Venezuela and bigger-picture concerns as the game’s calendar drifts toward February.

The Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional postponed its playoffs following the raid in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, and announced competition is scheduled to resume Wednesday, Jan. 7 after a four-day delay.

Meanwhile, major league teams are aiming to keep connected to personnel there.

"We created a player and staff chat making sure everyone is safe and to keep communication fluid," Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz told USA TODAY Sports. "It's all been positive in regard to safety.