Insurance Issues Sideline Top MLB Stars from World Baseball Classic

Injuries suffered in past tournaments lead to coverage denials for players like Mike Trout, Francisco Lindor, and Jose Altuve.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Many of baseball's biggest stars will be missing from the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to insurance issues. After injuries to players like Edwin Diaz and Jose Altuve in previous tournaments, MLB teams are now requiring their players on 40-man rosters to either be covered by an insurance policy or receive permission to play without it. Several high-profile players, including Trout, Lindor, and Altuve, have been denied coverage due to their injury histories, forcing them to sit out the upcoming WBC.

Why it matters

The insurance requirements are meant to protect MLB teams from losing key players to injuries during the WBC, but the denials have hit some national teams especially hard. Puerto Rico, in particular, was so impacted by insurance issues that they considered withdrawing from the tournament altogether. The absences of stars like Trout and Altuve will also diminish the overall talent level and star power of the WBC.

The details

The insurance policies are evaluated by National Financial Partners, which classifies players as 'low-risk,' 'moderate,' or 'chronic' based on factors like recent injuries and surgeries. Players deemed 'chronic' risk are often denied coverage. This includes stars like Trout, who has an extensive injury history, and Lindor, who suffered a hamate bone injury this spring. The policy also prevents coverage for players over 37, ruling out Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas. Some teams, like the Astros, have urged their players not to try to circumvent the rules, even with offers of private insurance.

  • In 2023, Edwin Diaz and Jose Altuve suffered injuries while playing in the World Baseball Classic.
  • In February 2026, Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, who turned 37 this year, was denied a chance to play for Venezuela due to the age limit on insurance coverage.

The players

Mike Trout

An outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels who was denied insurance coverage due to his lengthy injury history, preventing him from playing for Team USA.

Francisco Lindor

A shortstop for the New York Mets who was denied insurance coverage, ruling him out of playing for Puerto Rico.

Jose Altuve

A second baseman for the Houston Astros who was denied insurance coverage after undergoing offseason foot surgery, keeping him off Venezuela's roster.

Miguel Rojas

A 37-year-old infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was denied a chance to play for Venezuela due to the age limit on insurance coverage.

National Financial Partners

The company that evaluates each player's insurance request and classifies their injury risk as 'low-risk,' 'moderate,' or 'chronic.'

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What they’re saying

“My only question is, why is it just with our countries, like Venezuela, Puerto Rico, a couple of Dominican players? I don't see that happening with the United States or happening with Japan.”

— Miguel Rojas, Dodgers infielder (ESPN)

What’s next

The head of Puerto Rico's baseball federation had threatened to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic altogether due to the number of insurance denials, but that did not ultimately happen. The tournament will proceed with several high-profile absences, leaving some national teams significantly weakened.

The takeaway

The insurance issues at the World Baseball Classic highlight the delicate balance between protecting MLB teams' investments in their players and allowing the world's best talent to compete on the global stage. While the policies are meant to prevent devastating injuries, the uneven impact on certain national teams has become a point of contention.