World Baseball Classic Insurance Denials
Players are reportedly facing a wave of insurance coverage denials for participation in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). This situation arises three years after the previous tournament, which concluded with Japan defeating the USA.
Impact on Rosters and Teams
The stricter insurance stance is already threatening team compositions. Team Puerto Rico has indicated a potential withdrawal from the tournament, citing that 8 to 10 players on its anticipated roster have been denied coverage.
Team captain Francisco Lindor was among those denied coverage following a minor elbow procedure in October.
Despite his denial, Lindor is expected to be ready for Spring Training, having played 160 games last year. Other Puerto Rican players whose participation is jeopardized by denials or ongoing reviews include Victor Caratini, Carlos Correa, Jose Berrios, Emilio Pagan, Alexis Diaz, Jovani Moran, Luis Quinones, and Yacksel Rios.
With a population of just 3.2 million, Puerto Rico faces significant challenges in finding quality substitutes for its roster. The island's capital, San Juan, is notably scheduled to host one of the four pools in Round 1 of the tournament.
Beyond Puerto Rico, Miguel Rojas of Team Venezuela was denied coverage due to approaching his 37th birthday, an age deemed disqualifying by the insurer.
Evolving Insurance Policies
The current wave of denials appears to stem from significant changes in insurance policies. Following high-profile injuries to stars like Edwin Diaz and Jose Altuve during the 2023 tournament, insurance costs have reportedly increased, and the league's insurer has adopted a notably stricter stance on approvals.
National Financial Partners (NFP), the MLB-partnered insurance broker, is responsible for reviewing each player's case. Players with...