Major League Baseball and the players’ union have opened formal talks with Los Angeles 2028 Olympic organizers on a plan that would allow major leaguers to compete when baseball returns to the Summer Games. Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said during All-Star Game festivities in Atlanta on Tuesday that they are “hopeful” of striking a deal, though both acknowledged that club approval and extensive scheduling changes are still required. Under the proposal discussed this week, MLB would keep its 2028 All-Star Game but stretch the traditional mid-July break so players could take part in the Olympic tournament, which the World Baseball Softball Confederation has scheduled for 15–20 July at Dodger Stadium. Manfred said the league believes it can stage the All-Star Game in its usual window, pause the season for roughly a week, and still complete a 162-game schedule without pushing the postseason into mid-November. One contingency under consideration is moving the All-Star Game to Oracle Park in San Francisco, which industry sources say is the current frontrunner to host if negotiations succeed. MLB last barred athletes on 40-man rosters from the Tokyo 2021 Games, but Clark noted that “players are interested” this time and that insurance, travel and broadcast-contract issues are being reviewed. Talks are expected to continue over the coming months, with both sides stressing that an agreement would apply specifically to the Los Angeles Games.