Department of Justice investigating Major League Baseball for religious rights violations, San Francisco Giants Pride hat warnings

SAN FRANCISCO — The Department of Justice announced Thursday that it is now investigating the MLB for violation of players’ religious rights after the league’s response to several San Francisco Giants players writing Bible verses on their hats during the organization’s Pride night celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

The announcement comes after the MLB issued a warning to pitchers Landon Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker, who were seen writing verses from Genesis 9:12-16 on their rainbow-themed caps. The passage refers to the rainbow as a symbol of God’s covenant with all living creatures.

A DOJ letter to the MLB commissioner says this may be a violation of the players’ religious rights — calling on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate.

The MLB and the Giants have not commented on this latest action.