Mike Trout Misses 2026 World Baseball Classic Due to Insurance Issues

Trout, Altuve, and Correa unable to acquire coverage for WBC participation.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Major League Baseball stars Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, and Carlos Correa will not be participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to their inability to acquire insurance coverage for the tournament. Trout, a three-time MVP with the Los Angeles Angels, had previously played for Team USA in the 2023 WBC but will sit out this year's event to avoid risking his $35 million contract.

Why it matters

The absence of high-profile players like Trout, Altuve, and Correa is a significant blow to the World Baseball Classic, which aims to showcase the best talent in international baseball. The insurance issues highlight the challenges faced by players in balancing their national team commitments with the need to protect their lucrative professional contracts.

The details

Without insurance coverage, Trout and other MLB stars risked their multi-million dollar contracts by participating in the WBC. In 2023, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw faced a similar issue and was left off the Team USA roster. The American team will now rely on a new generation of stars like Aaron Judge, Byron Buxton, and Pete Crow-Armstrong to lead the charge.

  • On Monday, Trout announced he would not be joining Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
  • In 2023, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was unable to participate in the WBC due to insurance concerns.

The players

Mike Trout

A 34-year-old outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels and a three-time MVP who previously played for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Jose Altuve

An All-Star second baseman for the Houston Astros who was unable to acquire insurance to play for Team Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Carlos Correa

An All-Star shortstop for the Houston Astros who was unable to acquire insurance to play for Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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What’s next

The American team will now need to find replacements for Trout and other high-profile players who are unable to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The takeaway

The inability of star players like Trout, Altuve, and Correa to acquire insurance coverage for the World Baseball Classic highlights the challenges faced by national teams in assembling their rosters and the need for better coordination between MLB and international baseball organizations to ensure the participation of the sport's biggest names.