Photos: For Cuban baseball players, old travel restrictions still apply

GlobalPost

Starting Jan. 14 most Cuban citizens will be able to travel without government consent for the first time, but people in specific job fields — such as military personnel, scientists and athletes — will still require authorization from the Castro administration.

Cuban athletes, especially baseball players and boxers, are at a severe disadvantage in large part because the most successful professional leagues are located in the US. Consequently, defection has become a thorny issue because many of the country's professionals are lured abroad by the promise of more lucrative opportunities. However, Cuban doctors will not be subject to these new travel laws. For many, exit visas are soon to be a thing of the past, but the effects on Cuban travel remain to be seen.

Cubans have a long-standing relationship with baseball, and currently there are 24 Cuban players in the MLB. Below are 10 names you should know.

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