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MLB Warns Giants Pitchers, DOJ Probes Religious Discrimination

6/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said on June 12 the league will not fine Giants pitchers for Bible verses on caps.
The league warned Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker because the Giants did not clearly communicate the policy.
Manfred said the warning was due to unclear communication, not the religious content of the messages.
The Department of Justice opened a probe to see if the warning breaches religious-discrimination laws.

History

Historical Context

Congress enacted the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in November 1993 after the Supreme Court’s 1990 Smith decision, with the Senate approving it 97-3 and President Bill Clinton signing it. Championed by Senator Orrin Hatch, the law forces federal agencies such as the DOJ to apply strict scrutiny to religious-burden claims. Manfred’s refusal to fine Giants pitchers for Bible-verse caps invokes that federal standard.

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Story summary

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said on June 12 the league will not fine Giants pitchers for Bible verses on caps.
The league warned Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker because the Giants did not clearly communicate the policy.
Manfred said the warning was due to unclear communication, not the religious content of the messages.
The Department of Justice opened a probe to see if the warning breaches religious-discrimination laws.

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