Why MLB stars are being told they can’t play in the World Baseball Classic
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Insurance concerns for players in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) have escalated, with Team Puerto Rico considering withdrawal after 8 to 10 players, including captain Francisco Lindor, were denied insurance coverage due to injury histories.
- The insurer has tightened approval criteria following injuries to players like Jose Altuve and Edwin Díaz in the 2023 WBC, leading to fewer star players being cleared for this year's tournament.
- MLB and the Players Association are lobbying the insurer to reconsider decisions, but players denied coverage can only participate if their MLB teams assume financial risk, a rare and costly option.
- Puerto Rico faces challenges in fielding a competitive team due to a smaller player pool and late insurance decisions, while some players and
