Why MLB Stars Can’t Play in the World Baseball Classic

This article digs into the tough insurance hurdles national teams face at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), with Team Puerto Rico‘s struggles front and center.

It looks at why insurance policies have gotten stricter, how that’s affecting player eligibility, and what it all means for team rosters and international baseball.

WBC Insurance Woes: A Game of High Stakes and Higher Premiums

The World Baseball Classic—usually a showcase for global talent—now finds itself up against a new kind of opponent: strict insurance rules.

What used to be a routine part of international play has turned into a real obstacle, especially for teams like Puerto Rico.

Insurers have started to see elite athletes as bigger risks when they play in these high-stakes tournaments.

The Lindor Saga: A Symptom of a Larger Problem

When news broke that **Francisco Lindor**, Team Puerto Rico’s captain, couldn’t get insurance, it rattled the baseball world.

He’d had two right-elbow surgeries in recent offseasons, but he’s still expected to be ready for spring training.

This situation shows just how unforgiving things have become.

He’s not the only one. **Carlos Correa**, **José Berríos**, and **Víctor Caratini** also ran into insurance denials at first.

Some cases are getting another look, but the initial rejections point to a bigger trend.

The Aftermath of 2023: Insurers’ Cautionary Tale

Insurance costs have shot up, and getting coverage is a lot harder now.

This shift traces straight back to injuries suffered by **José Altuve** and **Edwin Díaz** during the 2023 WBC.

Those incidents really shook up the insurance world, reminding everyone just how expensive these injuries can get.

Now, insurers are much more careful about issuing policies.

National Financial Partners brokers the policy, which is supposed to **reimburse clubs for a player’s salary if they get hurt in the WBC**.

Position players are covered for two years, pitchers for four, and there’s no overall cap.

But actually getting that coverage? It’s a much trickier process than before.

The Tug-of-War: MLB, Players Association, and Club Complications

MLB and the Players Association are both **pushing the insurer to rethink some of these denials**.

They know how much the tournament needs its stars.

Still, it often comes down to just how much risk the insurer is willing to take.

If a player gets denied, their MLB team can choose to **take on the financial risk themselves**.

**Miguel Cabrera** played in 2023 thanks to this workaround.

But clubs can say no, too—like when the Dodgers kept **Clayton Kershaw** out to protect their own interests.

That means wealthier or more risk-tolerant teams can sometimes tip the scales, which feels a bit unfair.

Puerto Rico’s Predicament: A Smaller Pool, Bigger Problems

For Team Puerto Rico, the stakes are even higher.

They don’t have as many players to choose from as the U.S. or Japan, so losing just a few stars really hurts.

It’s especially rough since Puerto Rico is **hosting the San Juan first round from March 6–11**.

There’s a lot of pressure to put together a strong team.

Frustration is running high among players and staff.

**Joey Sola**, Team Puerto Rico’s operations manager, and the players’ union have both voiced their disappointment over **late insurance decisions** and the headaches they cause for **roster planning**.

Inconsistency and Disadvantage: The Critics Speak Out

Critics, like Dodgers’ infielder **Miguel Rojas**, aren’t shy about calling out the **inconsistency of the process**. They say the current system puts **older or non-U.S./Japanese players** at a real disadvantage.

The new rule excludes players once they turn **37 within the coverage window**. That just adds fuel to the fire, setting up an age barrier for veterans who, let’s be honest, can still bring a lot to international baseball.

Francisco Lindor will get to fully participate in spring training. But his forced absence from the WBC? It’s a pretty stark reminder of how tricky and frustrating international baseball’s landscape has become.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Why MLB stars are being told they can’t play in the World Baseball Classic