Insurance Disputes Bar Miguel Rojas and Other MLB Stars From World Baseball Classic
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas has been ruled out of the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) after being deemed uninsurable, a bureaucratic hurdle that prevents players with specific medical histories from participating in the international tournament. The decision underscores a persistent conflict between Major League Baseball’s financial safeguards and the desire of players to represent their home countries.
Rojas is not the only high-profile absence attributed to insurance complications for the 2026 tournament. Houston Astros stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa have also been blocked from competition due to similar coverage denials. Insurers, who underwrite the multimillion-dollar contracts of MLB players during the WBC, often refuse to cover those with chronic injuries or recent surgeries. Without this third-party coverage, MLB teams are unwilling to assume the financial risk of a player sustaining a season-ending injury during the exhibition games.
The situation mirrors the controversy surrounding Clayton Kershaw during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The Dodgers ace was publicly eager to pitch for Team USA but was ultimately forced to withdraw when he could not secure the necessary insurance claims regarding his history of back injuries.
Critics of the policy argue that it prioritizes risk management over the integrity of the competition, stripping national teams of their most recognizable talent. While players like Correa have expressed frustration—citing their physical readiness and desire to play—they acknowledge the “business side” of the sport often dictates final availability. Consequently, the strict insurance protocols remain the primary barrier preventing established veterans from joining their national rosters.
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