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Venezuelan A’s struggle to focus on baseball with country’s turmoil

MESA, Ariz. — Most baseball players show up to the clubhouse worried about having a good day at the plate or on the mound. A’s top prospect Franklin Barreto and relief pitcher Yusmeiro Petit have more pressing issues on his mind.

Venezuela is on the verge of a civil war. Caracas, the country’s capital city and Barreto’s hometown, seems to be getting the most intense as president Nicolas Maduro’s attempt to effectively become the country’s dictator has been met with deadly backlash from anti-government groups.

Barreto goes back to Caracas every offseason to be with his family.