Imago
March 22, 2017: Puerto Rico outfielder Angel Pagan 16 holds the Puerto Rico flag behind his back during the anthems in the game between the the United States and Puerto Rico, World Baseball Classic Finals, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. Peter Joneleit /CSM WBC 2017: United States vs Puerto Rico MAR 22 – ZUMAc04_ 20170322_zaf_c04_148 Copyright: xPeterxJoneleit/CalxSportxMediax
Imago
March 22, 2017: Puerto Rico outfielder Angel Pagan 16 holds the Puerto Rico flag behind his back during the anthems in the game between the the United States and Puerto Rico, World Baseball Classic Finals, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. Peter Joneleit /CSM WBC 2017: United States vs Puerto Rico MAR 22 – ZUMAc04_ 20170322_zaf_c04_148 Copyright: xPeterxJoneleit/CalxSportxMediax
There was a small ray of hope that was peaking through dark clouds for Francisco Lindor to make the Puerto Rico team for the World Baseball Classic. But it looks like that ray of hope has also been shut down, as Puerto Rico fans are hit with some bad news.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
It was just reported by Mike Mayer that “Francisco Lindor will not be on Team Puerto Rico for the WBC. The last-minute efforts to secure coverage for him, Carlos Correa, and Javier Báez were unsuccessful.”
Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javier Báez withdrew after insurance denials blocked Baseball Classic participation.
Lindor underwent right elbow cleanup surgery in October 2025, triggering insurer rejection before roster deadlines.
Correa’s $31 million 2026 salary and extensive injury history complicated the coverage approval decision process.
Baez also failed insurance evaluations, despite playing 136 games in 2025 without a season-ending injury. Together, their exits removed Puerto Rico’s projected infield core before final submission roster deadlines.
Insurance matters because unprotected players risk losing guaranteed salaries if injured during the March tournaments. WBC rules require coverage for all MLB 40-man roster players before international competition begins.
Top Stories
Edwin Diaz’s 2023 patellar tendon tear caused him to miss the entire MLB season. Jose Altuve fractured his thumb during the 2023 World Baseball Classic and missed nearly two months afterward. Those injuries pushed insurers to tighten underwriting standards for the 2026 tournament WBC cycle.
Francisco Lindor will not be on Team Puerto Rico for the WBC.
The last-minute efforts to secure coverage for him, Carlos Correa, and Javier Báez were unsuccessful.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) February 5, 2026
Facing backlash, Puerto Rico explored private insurance options to reinstate Lindor, Correa, and Baez.
Federation officials confirmed negotiations with external insurers before roster deadlines closed in the February 2026 period. Those talks followed earlier denials affecting eight Puerto Rico players, including Berrios and Caratini.
Venezuela faced similar outcomes, dropping Jose Altuve and Miguel Rojas over coverage refusal decisions.
Despite urgency, no private insurer agreed to guarantee salaries matching MLB contract values fully.
By deadline week, Puerto Rico accepted rosters without Lindor, Correa, or Baez officially. The team is still committed to playing, despite briefly considering withdrawal over unresolved insurance disputes.
Edwin Diaz joined the roster after securing coverage, even following his $69 million contract. Diaz’s protected 2023 injury showed why insurance enables participation without risking guaranteed income loss.
As rosters locked, fans saw preparation, contracts, and coverage decide availability more than talent.
Baseball fans call out WBC after major stars pull out of the tournament
Fans are questioning the World Baseball Classic after systems, not swings, removed elite talent again. Insurance barriers sidelined Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javier Báez, proving contracts now outrank competition.
The fan wrote, “This tournament is a joke. No credibility,” reflecting real frustration over multiple star withdrawals. Official WBC insurance rules blocked Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javier Báez from competing due to denied coverage for injuries and salaries. The suggestion “might as well play a seven-game series, Team USA vs. Japan” highlights how two finals-only matchups feel more competitive than weakened WBC pools. Saying “I hope MLB gives Puerto Ricans ALL their money back” mirrors buyer anger after marketing featured Lindor as captain before insurance denials. Fans bought tickets expecting Lindor’s presence, and his absence amplifies disappointment rooted in how organizers handled roster announcements.
The fan labeled it “Makes it a bullshit tournament,” capturing widespread disappointment in weakened competition quality. Puerto Rico has reached the WBC semifinals twice, in 2013 and 2017, showing the team’s historical impact on global baseball. Francisco Lindor’s dynamic defense and bat have been central to Puerto Rico’s WBC identity, and his absence removes emotional leadership from the lineup. Carlos Correa’s elite shortstop play and clutch performances would have added depth and experience absent from the roster. Without those stars, Puerto Rico’s offensive firepower and defensive stability will be noticeably diminished throughout the tournament’s March schedule.
The fan wrote “F**K @MLB F**K @WBCBaseball BOYCOTT!” expressing raw anger over star absences. Puerto Rico isn’t alone, as Venezuela lost Jose Altuve and Miguel Rojas to similar insurance denials. Across Latin America, denied coverage has blocked Correa, Berríos, Caratini, and others from Classic participation. These examples reflect growing frustration with how WBC insurance rules have sidelined key international stars repeatedly. Such widespread exclusions fuel calls to “make sure nobody is in the stands,” showing deeper fan distrust in tournament fairness.
The fan wrote, “Good, needs to just work on being at full go for OD,” prioritizing Lindor’s health over WBC focus. Lindor’s absence spares him the rigors of international play after his right elbow procedure and insurer rejection. The 2025 Mets collapsed badly, including an 0–70 record when trailing after the eighth inning, showing late-game breakdowns. Avoiding extra baseball may help Lindor avoid setbacks that contributed to last season’s regression and injuries. Fans want him ready for Opening Day, knowing the Mets need strong starts to regain competitiveness.
The fan wrote “Insurance companies are the devil,” blaming underwriters for Lindor, Correa, and Baez missing WBC. National Financial Partners denied coverage for players with recent surgeries or lengthy injury histories before roster deadlines. Those rejections forced Venezuela to drop Jose Altuve and Miguel Rojas, too, showing a broader insurance pattern. Fans see insurers, not athletes or teams, as the real barrier to Classic competition. The absence of top stars feeds frustration toward coverage protocols instead of individual commitment to play.
When Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javier Báez disappear, the World Baseball Classic exposes priorities. Insurance executives now shape international baseball outcomes more decisively than bats, gloves, or fan passion.