Puerto Rico May Withdraw from World Baseball Classic Over Insurance Challenges
The upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic is facing significant challenges. Team Puerto Rico has suggested a potential withdrawal due to insurance issues affecting several players. Reports indicate that between eight to ten players may be unable to receive necessary insurance coverage for participation.
Insurance Issues Threatening Team Puerto Rico
Team Puerto Rico’s captain, Francisco Lindor, is among those impacted. His insurance was denied following a minor elbow procedure he underwent last October. Despite his readiness for Spring Training and a successful previous season with the New York Mets, he is unable to participate unless the coverage issue is resolved.
This situation arises after injuries sustained by Edwin Díaz and José Altuve during the 2023 tournament have led to stricter insurance policies. The insurer, National Financial Partners (NFP), has become more stringent, denying coverage based on recent surgeries and previous injuries. Factors that increase the likelihood of denial include:
- Players with chronic injuries
- Those who spent 60 days or more on the injured list the previous season
- Players who had surgery during the offseason
- Age, particularly players turning 37
Impact of Denied Coverage
Age restrictions have notably affected players like Miguel Rojas, who will turn 37 soon, blocking his participation with Team Venezuela. Denied coverage does not automatically disqualify a player; however, it places the risk on their Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. Some teams may choose to allow participation despite uninsured status, as seen with Miguel Cabrera during the 2023 tournament.
Team Puerto Rico is further impacted by the denial of players such as Victor Caratini, Carlos Correa, José Berríos, Emilio Pagán, and Alexis Díaz. The losses are acutely felt, as Puerto Rico has a smaller pool of quality substitutes to draw from, with a population of approximately 3.2 million.
Concerns Over Treatment of Latin American Players
Criticism has surfaced regarding the fairness of insurance coverage for Latin American players. Rojas voiced concerns about perceived bias against players from teams like Puerto Rico and Venezuela, indicating that such denials didn’t seem to affect American or Japanese players similarly. This frustration highlights the disparities in treatment for international athletes.
Future of Team Puerto Rico in the Tournament
The deadline for roster submissions is quickly nearing, intensifying the pressure on Team Puerto Rico and other teams facing similar challenges. Multiple reports suggest that Team Puerto Rico’s potential withdrawal could lead to compromises on insurance provisions for affected players.
As the June deadlines loom and critical decisions remain pending, the MLB, MLB Players Association, and the insurance provider must address these pressing issues. The future participation of Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic remains uncertain, with key decisions to be made swiftly.
