DOJ launches probe into MLB over alleged religious-rights breach linked to Pride-night hat incident
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The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into Major League Baseball, alleging possible violations of players' religious rights after a warning was issued to Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on rainbow-themed caps during Pride night.
The Justice Department said on Thursday that it is reviewing Major League Baseball for potential breaches of players' religious-freedom protections. The inquiry follows a league warning to San Francisco Giants pitchers Landon Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker, who were observed inscribing verses from Genesis 9:12-16 on their rainbow-colored hats during the team's Pride Night celebration.
In a letter to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, the DOJ indicated that the league's response could contravene federal religious-rights statutes and requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission open a parallel investigation. Neither MLB nor the Giants have issued comments on the matter.
"The Department is concerned that the actions taken may infringe upon the constitutional rights of players to express their religious beliefs," the DOJ letter stated.
The investigation will examine whether the league's disciplinary measures were consistent with applicable employment-law protections.