Los Angeles Dodgers Shortstop Miguel Rojas Ruled Out of 2026 World Baseball Classic
Los Angeles Dodgers veteran infielder Miguel Rojas has officially been removed from the list of participants for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic. Despite his explicit desire to represent Team Venezuela one final time before his anticipated retirement, the 37-year-old was unable to secure the necessary insurance coverage required to participate in the tournament. The denial of coverage forces Rojas to withdraw, mirroring his exit from the 2023 tournament when he stepped aside to cover for an injured teammate.
The primary obstacle preventing Rojas’ participation is a specific clause regarding insurance for players nearing the end of their careers. Because Rojas turns 37 in February, he falls into a higher-risk category that complicates the underwriting process for his $5.5 million salary. Without this protection, the financial risk to the club and player is deemed too high to proceed. Rojas took to social media to express his disappointment, noting that in this instance, “age wasn’t just a number,” highlighting the conflict between his physical readiness and the administrative policies governing the sport.
This forced withdrawal adds to a growing list of veteran players opting out of the international showcase to preserve their health for the rigorous 162-game Major League Baseball season. While Rojas intended to wear the Venezuelan jersey as a capstone to his career, he will now pivot his focus entirely to Spring Training with the Dodgers. He is expected to play a key utility role for Los Angeles in what he has announced will be his final professional season before transitioning into a player development role within the organization.
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