World Classic: Puerto Rico considers withdrawing from competition

In recent days, Puerto Rico has taken several blows in connection with the World Baseball Classic, which is set to begin in the coming weeks.

Why? Because many players have been told they can't play.

Jose Berrios, Jovani Moran, Luis Quinones, Yacksel Rios, Victor Caratini, Alexis Diaz, Emilio Pagan, Francisco Lindor, and Carlos Correa will not be able to participate.

Several of them had said yes or wanted to say yes, but were either told no by their Major League clubs or by their insurance companies. If a player cannot get insurance, he will lose his salary for the games he misses in the Major Leagues if he gets injured in the World Baseball Classic.

What's upsetting is that it's hard to understand why some players were told no. Lindor, for example, is not prone to injury… and the insurance companies said no.

Yes, he had elbow surgery this winter, but he will have no restrictions during Mets camp.

Altuve and Lindor played in 155+ games last year. Both will be full-go first day of spring. https://t.co/mgw9vKRayf

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) January 31, 2026

Some see this as a problem: if you're not from the US or Japan, you'll be turned down. Not much effort will be made to insure players (Jose Altuve, from Venezuela, is another example) from other countries.

Is this justified? Your answer is as good as mine.

The people in Puerto Rico have waited over a decade to host in their country (Japan has hosted every year against firefighters and doctors) and now they can't enjoy their best players being on the field. Embarrassing.

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) January 31, 2026

In Puerto Rico, people are complaining. Games will finally be played in their country, but the local team won't have its best lineup because insurance companies have turned down many players. It's obviously difficult to insure players.

That's why the president of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation has threatened to withdraw the team from the tournament.

The President of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation has threatened to withdraw the team from the 2026 World Baseball Classic. https://t.co/VIqXOSIpJ0

— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) January 31, 2026

Do you understand why the Puerto Ricans want to do this? Or do you think it's a bit childish and that not having the best team is no reason to leave?

It's going to get people talking, in any case.

This content was created with the help of AI.