Could a Wisconsin lawmaker help get Brewers players back from Venezuela?

As the Milwaukee Brewers continue to sort out logistics of how to get their players currently in Venezuela back to the United States, they could potentially receive help from lawmakers in their efforts.

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, of Wisconsin's 5th District, posted to social media on Jan. 4 that “as the situation is still fluid, I am reaching out to the State Department to assist with this matter and help get clarity for the Brewers organization and fellow Brewers fans.”

At least four members of the Brewers roster – outfielder Jackson Chourio, catcher William Contreras, infielder Andruw Monasterio and catcher Jeferson Quero – are known to be in Venezuela days after the United States’ capture of President Nicolas Maduro and strikes on the capital of Caracas. Contreras, who largely resides elsewhere in the off-season, is in Venezuela according to his Instagram story. Relief pitcher Angel Zerpa, another Venezuelan, has spent time this off-season in the country but it has not been confirmed he is currently there.

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While their travel situations remain largely uncertain two days following the events, all Brewers players in Venezuela remain safe, president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said Jan. 5.

“We're in touch with the guys and they’re safe at the moment, which is really good,” Arnold said. “That’s the main thing. We’re still trying to gather information on the situation there just like everybody else. We’re continuing to support them as much as we possibly can.”

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According to Quero's agency, Klutch Sports, the challenge at the moment is getting a flight reservation booked. A flight restriction to Venezuela and the Caribbean instituted Jan. 3 in the aftermath of the strikes has been lifted, but being able to purchase a ticket has now become a “day to day” process, according to his agency.

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Flight logs for Jan. 5 out of Simón Bolívar Airport in Caracas – Venezuela’s largest airport – show no departures to the U.S., though there are some to other Latin American cities such as Mexico City and Panama City.

The websites for American, Delta and United Airlines show no available one-way flights from Caracas. The same applies for Venezuelan airlines, such as Avior and Conviasa. There are limited options available to cities such as Bogotá, Colombia, in the coming days and weeks that could serve as potential connecting flights.

Fitzgerald’s office did not respond to a request for comment regarding potential assistance with matters.

Pitchers and catchers do not officially report to spring training until Feb. 11, though most typically arrive at the Brewers’ complex in Phoenix before that. Given the unknown state of affairs in coming weeks and months in Venezuela, the Brewers also would prefer to have their players stateside sooner than that. Players participating in the World Baseball Classic are expected to arrive before the official report date, as well; Chourio and Contreras could be included in that group, though Team Venezuela has not announced its roster yet.

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The Brewers are also hosting their catchers for an off-season camp in Phoenix next week, one at which they would prefer to have Quero – and potentially Contreras, though perhaps his veteran status makes his attendance less critical.

Chourio and Monasterio were still playing in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League's postseason Jan. 2 before games were halted. Play will resume Jan. 7, but according to a report from Venezuelan reporter Gorgeny Perez, Chourio will not be playing as he is scheduled to "travel on January 6".

The Journal Sentinel's Todd Rosiak contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin lawmaker hints at helping get Brewers back from Venezuela