Puerto Rico considers pulling out of WBC after insurance keeps stars off team Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY January 31, 2026 at 10:21 PM 0 The World Baseball Classic will be without several of its top stars because they have been unable to acquire insurance coverage in case they are injured during the tournament. No team has been hit harder than Puerto Rico, which couldn't secure insurance coverage for several of its biggest names in Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, Jose Berrios and Emilio Pagan.
- - Puerto Rico considers pulling out of WBC after insurance keeps stars off team
Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY January 31, 2026 at 10:21 PM
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The World Baseball Classic will be without several of its top stars because they have been unable to acquire insurance coverage in case they are injured during the tournament.
No team has been hit harder than Puerto Rico, which couldn't secure insurance coverage for several of its biggest names in Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, Jose Berrios and Emilio Pagan.
Puerto Rican officials are so frustrated that they have considered pulling out of the WBC, federation president José Quiles revealed.
The Major League Baseball Players Association said that Lindor is unable to play in the WBC because of an elbow procedure early in the offseason, although he will be fine to participate in spring training for the New York Mets.
"Francisco is obviously disappointed that he was be unable to participate," the MLBPA said in a statement. "However, because of WBC insurance constraints, he is ineligible to play in WBC games. He was participate fully in all spring training activities."
Francisco Lindor and Jose Altuve in 2025.
Houston Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve was also denied insurance and won't be able to play for Venezuela in the WBC.
"Due to the criteria for WBC insurance coverage, Jose Altuve was looking forward to participating in the WBC and representing Venezuela, but unfortunately is not eligible to do so," the MLBPA said in a statement.
Venezuela will also be without Dodgers World Series hero Miguel Rojas, who announced on his Instagram account that he was also denied insurance.
"Today I am very sad," he wrote in Spanish. "A true shame I can't represent my country and put that flag on my chest."
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
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$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
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" src=https://ift.tt/quxwKdU class=caas-img>$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
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$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
">$700,000,000: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/4woODI1 class=caas-img>$500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)
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$500,000,000: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (2026-39)
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" src=https://ift.tt/o53bIPW class=caas-img>$426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension
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$426.5 million: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (2019-2030)* includes extension
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" src=https://ift.tt/xu4mztj class=caas-img>$365 million: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-32)
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" src=https://ift.tt/0breDAQ class=caas-img>$360 million: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (2023-2031)
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" src=https://ift.tt/MRz3VtU class=caas-img>$350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
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$350 million: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
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" src=https://ift.tt/48MLcUF class=caas-img>$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
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$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
">$341 million: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (2022-31)
" src=https://ift.tt/JHYzrT2 class=caas-img>$340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)
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$340 million: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (2021-34)
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" src=https://ift.tt/bdK2LJy class=caas-img>$330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)
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$330,000,000: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (2019-31)
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" src=https://ift.tt/ibSl2XI class=caas-img>$325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017
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$325 million: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins (2015-2027) – traded to New York Yankees in 2017
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" src=https://ift.tt/rE9NOPY class=caas-img>$325 million: Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (2022-31)
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$325 million: Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (2022-31)
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" src=https://ift.tt/tZpPwg7 class=caas-img>$325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)
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$325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)
">$325,000,000: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-35)
" src=https://ift.tt/v4zlVep class=caas-img>$313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025
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$313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025
">$313.5 million: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox (2024-33) - traded to San Francisco Giants in 2025
" src=https://ift.tt/9toTOKa class=caas-img>$300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)
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$300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)
">$300 million: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies (2023-33)
" src=https://ift.tt/qH9JSDi class=caas-img>$292 million: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2014-2023)* includes extension
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$292 million: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (2014-2023)* includes extension
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" src=https://ift.tt/Ujb1I3q class=caas-img>$288,777,777: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (2024-34)
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$288,777,777: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (2024-34)
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" src=https://ift.tt/AEPYMwg class=caas-img>$280 million: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
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$280 million: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (2023-33)
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" src=https://ift.tt/iMDNaVA class=caas-img>$275 million: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (2008-2017)
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$275 million: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (2008-2017)
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" src=https://ift.tt/P38qNCm class=caas-img>$260 million: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (2019-26) - traded to St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, traded to Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026
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$260 million: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (2019-26) - traded to St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, traded to Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026
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" src=https://ift.tt/P2O8g94 class=caas-img>$252,000,000: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers (2001-10)
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$252,000,000: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers (2001-10)
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" src=https://ift.tt/BMJdiAO class=caas-img>$245 million: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (2020-26)
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" src=https://ift.tt/kunVMZN class=caas-img>$245 million: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels (2020-26)
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" src=https://ift.tt/UEX3uM5 class=caas-img>$240,000,000: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (2026-29)
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$240,000,000: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers (2026-29)
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" src=https://ift.tt/xNJmElq class=caas-img>$240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)
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$240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)
">$240 million: Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels (2012-2021)
" src=https://ift.tt/IbQ8wh9 class=caas-img>$240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019
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$240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019
">$240 million: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners (2014-2023) – traded to New York Mets in 2019
" src=https://ift.tt/GudZTP3 class=caas-img>$225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)
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$225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)
">$225 million: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (2012-2021)
" src=https://ift.tt/T42wkiP class=caas-img>
$217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5IMfrv0 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
">$217 million: David Price, Boston Red Sox (2016-2022) – traded to Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020
" src=https://ift.tt/5IMfrv0 class=caas-img>$215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)
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$215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)
">$215 million: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2020)
" src=https://ift.tt/kEUaQ5C class=caas-img>$215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DV0NRdj class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)
">$215 million: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (2020-28)
" src=https://ift.tt/DV0NRdj class=caas-img>$214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PV7uLe6 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013
">$214 million: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (2012-2020) – traded to Texas Rangers in 2013
" src=https://ift.tt/PV7uLe6 class=caas-img>$212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jU0Sf41 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)
">$212 million: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (2023-32)
" src=https://ift.tt/jU0Sf41 class=caas-img>$210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bVXOxZL class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)
">$210 million: Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (2025-30)
" src=https://ift.tt/bVXOxZL class=caas-img>$210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/w7UptG6 class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)
">$210 million: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (2015-2021)
" src=https://ift.tt/w7UptG6 class=caas-img>$209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7UcxN4J class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)
">$209.3 million: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (2023-34)
" src=https://ift.tt/7UcxN4J class=caas-img>$206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6AF81gM class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019
">$206.5 million: Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2021) – traded to Houston Astros in 2019
" src=https://ift.tt/6AF81gM class=caas-img>
$200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025
" data-src=https://ift.tt/M1rxVLo class=caas-img data-headline="MLB's $200+ million contracts" data-caption="
$200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025
">$200 million: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (2023-28) - traded to Houston Astros in 2025
" src=https://ift.tt/M1rxVLo class=caas-img>
1 / 39MLB's $200+ million contracts
$765,000,000: Juan Soto, New York Mets (2025-39)
The inability to secure insurance kept three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw from participating in the WBC in 2023 because of his back issues. Now that he's retired, there's no need for insurance and he'll be on this year's USA team.
MLB requires all players on their 40-man roster to have an insurance policy that protects the team if a player sustains and injury during the WBC that requires them to miss games during the regular season. Most of the insurance issues are over a player's prior injury history.
Players like Edwin Diaz and Altuve who were injured in the 2023 WBC were covered by insurance policies, and were still paid, but not by the team.
Diaz missed the entire 2023 season when he suffered a complete patellar tendon tear in his right knee celebrating Puerto Rico's win over the Dominican Republic. Altuve suffered a broken right thumb when he was hit by a pitch from Team USA pitcher Daniel Bard. He missed the first 43 games of the 2023 season.
There have been no publicly known cases of any player this year who were prevented from joining Team USA because of an inability to acquire insurance.
Yet, perhaps no one in the tournament is taking a bigger financial risk than two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. He's a free agent after the season and is expected to secure the largest contract by a pitcher in MLB history, perhaps exceeding $400 million.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Baseball Classic 2026 insurance won't let Francisco Lindor play
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: January 31, 2026 at 02:27PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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