Puerto Rico's WBC Roster Loses Lindor, Correa, and Báez

Insurance coverage issues force star players to withdraw from World Baseball Classic team.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Major League Baseball stars Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javy Báez will not be playing for Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic due to issues with their insurance coverage, according to reports.

Why it matters

Puerto Rico has historically been a powerhouse in the World Baseball Classic, making the championship game in 2013 and 2017. The loss of these three star players is a significant blow to their chances of contending for the title this year.

The details

The three players, all of whom play in MLB, were unable to reach agreements with their teams and insurers to allow them to participate in the international tournament without risking their lucrative professional contracts. This is a common issue that has plagued national teams in the past when trying to field their best rosters for the WBC.

  • The 2023 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place in March 2023.

The players

Francisco Lindor

An All-Star shortstop for the New York Mets.

Carlos Correa

An All-Star shortstop who recently signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Twins.

Javy Báez

An All-Star infielder who plays for the Detroit Tigers.

Puerto Rico

A national baseball team that has historically been a powerhouse in the World Baseball Classic.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're disappointed to lose these players, but we understand the challenges with insurance coverage. We'll field the best team we can to represent Puerto Rico.”

— Héctor Ramos, General Manager, Puerto Rico WBC Team (myplainview.com)

The takeaway

The absence of Lindor, Correa, and Báez is a significant blow to Puerto Rico's chances in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, highlighting the ongoing challenges national teams face in securing top talent due to insurance concerns.