All the Players Ruled Out Due to Insurance in the World Baseball Classic: Controversial insurance policy explained

The World Baseball Classic is shaping up to be the biggest international baseball tournament to date. After the thrilling 2023 edition, several stars from across the world expressed their desire to represent their nations. The United States, Japan, and Puerto Rico are all considered the favorites this year. Unfortunately for the Carribean country, they hit a major roadblock in the insurance policy department.

MLB superstars such as Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa were slated to anchor Puerto Rico alongside Nolan Arenado, who changed allegiance after playing for Team USA in 2017 and 2023. However, both Lindor and Correa were restricted from participating due to their insurances being denied.

The National Financial Partners, who are responsible for insuring all players that will participate in the WBC, are tasked to pay back a player’s guaranteed salary to the ball club in case the participant gets injured during the event.

Given that stars like Edwin Diaz and Jose Altuve suffered injury setbacks in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, it was reported that this year’s insurance policies became more expensive.

Lindor, who had a cleanup surgery on his elbow this offseason, has an annual average value of $34.1 million on his contract. Correa, on the other hand, has had a laundry list of injuries over the years, which made both stars’ participation in the WBC a huge risk for both the insurers and their respective clubs. On a similar note, Astros legend Jose Altuve is expected to miss the triennial event for his native Venezuela after being rejected insurance as well.

Meanwhile, Samurai Japan’s captain and reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani is set to lead his squad in its title defense, with the restriction of being just a designated hitter and completely avoiding mound duties.

World Baseball Classic tees off in Asia

The first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic draws ever nearer as Australia clash against dark horse Chinese Taipei at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on March 4.

Australia is coming off an impressive 2023 WBC campaign after finishing second in a group that contained both Japan and Korea and earning a direct quarter-finals berth. Chinese Taipei, meanwhile, clinched the 2024 WBSC Premiere 12 title, the second-most prestigious trophy in international baseball.

Both squads are included in Pool C which also features defending WBC champion Japan, South Korea, and Czechia. All games of the group will be played at the aforementioned historic Tokyo Dome.