MLB news: 2 Chicago Cubs can’t get to spring training due to visa issues

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Feb 15, 2026 7:36 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are the latest victims of visa issues going around the United States.

Recently, entertainment events in Portland had to be cancelled due to visa issues and delays.

Per WGME, visas for the dance group “Les Ballets Africains” were denied. The group “Flip Fabrique,” had their visas delayed.

The issue isn’t just contained to musical or dance groups, it’s heading to sports.

Via Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs players Moisés Ballesteros (catcher/designated hitter) and Christian Bethancourt (catcher/first baseman) are expected to report late for spring training because of delays with their visas.

“The Cubs aren’t expecting Moisés Ballesteros or Christian Bethancourt in camp until next weekend at the earliest, Craig Counsell said,” Lee posted on X. “Both are still being delayed by visa issues.”

The Cubs aren't expecting Moisés Ballesteros or Christian Bethancourt in camp until next weekend at the earliest, Craig Counsell said. Both are still being delayed by visa issues.

— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) February 15, 2026

Chicago Cubs waiting on 2 players over visa issues

Sep 17, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Moises Ballesteros (25) looks on from the dugout against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Ballesteros, 22, is from Los Teques, Venezuela, a nation where the US recently had a military operation to apprehend president Nicolás Maduro.

Bethancourt, 34, is from Panama City, Panama.

Ballesteros appeared in 20 games for the Cubs last season. He hit .298/.394/.474 with an ops of .868. He hit two home runs, scored 11 RBI and scored 12 runs for Chicago in 2025.

In January, Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters he was impress with how Ballesteros played last season.

“We kind of asked a lot of him,” Counsell said, via MLB.com. “You saw where he was hitting in the lineup at times. I think that is a sign of a lot of confidence in a young hitter. He showed us a lot…There’s a lot of ways to use him.

“His bat, he showed he can – at a young age – be a designated hitter. That bat is good enough to be a designated hitter. The catching thing, he’s going to catch more, for sure, this year. The offense and the left-handedness of the offense is something that we need.”

The Cubs will play their first spring training game against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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