Actuaries vs. Athletes: The Insurance Crisis Threatening the 2026 WBC

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As the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) prepares for its March kickoff, the tournament is facing an existential crisis that has nothing to do with the pitch clock or home run celebrations. Instead, the biggest threat is found in the “fine print” of insurance policies.

The dilemma has reached a breaking point this week, with Puerto Rico—a perennial powerhouse and host of Pool A—reportedly considering a total withdrawal from the tournament after insurance carriers decimated their roster.

The Policy: Why Insurance Rules the Roster

Because MLB contracts are fully guaranteed, teams require insurance to cover a player’s salary if they are injured during the WBC. If a player is deemed “uninsurable,” the MLB team has the right to block their participation unless the team chooses to waive the requirement and assume the financial risk themselves (a rarity for star players).

The 2026 “Chronic” Crackdown:

The tournament’s insurer, NFP, has reportedly tightened its criteria for 2026. Players are now frequently denied coverage if they meet “chronic” injury markers, such as:

Spending 60+ days on the Injured List (IL) in the previous season.
Undergoing any offseason “cleanup” procedures or surgeries.
Being 37 years of age or older (a new provision for the 2026 tournament).

The Puerto Rico Mutiny

The most dramatic fallout is centered in San Juan. Dr. José Quiles, President of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, issued a stern warning this weekend: “If we are not playing under equal conditions, we will not participate.”

The “Conditions” in question refer to the loss of nearly every major star on the Puerto Rican roster due to insurance denials:

Francisco Lindor (SS): The designated team captain was ruled ineligible following a minor elbow debridement in October. Despite being cleared for Mets Spring Training, he cannot get WBC insurance.
Carlos Correa (3)B: Denied coverage due to his extensive history of back and foot injuries.
José Berríos (P): The staff ace was denied due to undisclosed insurance constraints.
Other Denials: Catcher Victor Caratini, pitchers Jovani Morán, Yacksel Ríos, and Luis Quiñones.

Global Casualties: Age and Cost

Puerto Rico isn’t the only nation feeling the sting. The “Age 37” rule and rising premiums have stripped other contenders of their veteran leadership.

Venezuela: Lost 12-year veteran Miguel Rojas (who turns 37 in February) and superstar Jose Altuve, who was denied coverage following foot surgery in November.
Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB): Venezuela has reportedly opted not to use any players currently under contract in Japan because the insurance premiums required by NPB teams were deemed “extremely high” and cost-prohibitive for the federation.
The “Kershaw” Irony: In 2023, Clayton Kershaw was famously denied insurance due to his back history. In 2026, he is finally eligible to play for Team USA—but only because he is currently a free agent without an MLB contract to insure.

The Dilemma: Marketing vs. Liability

The WBC is co-owned by MLB and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA). This creates a bizarre conflict of interest:

The Marketing Side: Wants the biggest stars (Lindor, Altuve, Correa) on the field to drive ticket sales and global broadcast ratings.
The Operational Side: Must protect the financial interests of the 30 MLB clubs that own the players’ rights.

As of February 1, 2026, MLB and the MLBPA are reportedly “lobbying” their own insurers to reconsider several high-profile denials. However, with final 30-man rosters due this Tuesday (Feb 3rd), time is running out to save the “Classic” from becoming a tournament of “whoever was healthy enough to be insured.”

Country	Key Insurance Absences	Status
Puerto Rico	Lindor, Correa, Berríos, Caratini	Threatening Withdrawal
Venezuela	Altuve, Rojas, All NPB-based players	Finalizing Roster
Dominican Rep.	Multiple “Chronic” designations under review	Monitoring