Report: White Sox's Jose Abreu Will Visit Cuba With MLB Delegation
(CBS) White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, who defected from Cuba in 2013, will visit his home country next week as part of a delegation from Major League Baseball, the New York Times reported Monday.
MLB's "goodwill tour" of the baseball-loving republic comes as relations have thawed between the United States and Cuba. Defectors have traditionally been treated like traitors by the Cuban government.
The 2014 American League Rookie of the Year, Abreu's expected to have some restrictions imposed upon him while in Cuba, the Times reported. That could include visiting with family members at a designated hotel.
Other Cuban-born players expected to travel with the MLB and players' union delegation from Dec. 15-18 include Alexei Ramirez, who previously has played for the White Sox, and Brayan Pena. MLB will participate in baseball clinics for young people and a charity event.