Blue Jays' Jose Berrios, others denied medical insurance Puerto Rico considering pulling team from 2026 WBC
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Puerto Rico is considering pull out its team from the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to the denial of medical insurance coverage for several of its prominent players.
According to Spanish MLB insider Héctor Gómez, the lack of insurance for multiple high-profile players has sparked serious concern within the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, to the point that participation in the tournament is now in question.
Among the players reportedly denied coverage by Gomez are Jose Berrios, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, Victor Caratini, Yacksel Rios, Jovani Morán, Emilio Pagán, and Edwin Diaz among others.
President of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation ready to pull national team from 2026 World Baseball Classic
With star players such as Berrios, Lindor, and Correa unable to secure insurance due to recent medical histories, Puerto Rico would struggle to field a competitive roster.
That situation has prompted the federation’s president to publicly address the issue.
Dr. José Quiles, President of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, stated that the team will not compete unless it can do so under equal conditions.
“We are considering not participating in this edition of the World Baseball Classic,” Quiles said. “It’s a discussion we’ve already had. If we are not playing under equal conditions, we will not participate. It’s a decision that is almost, almost made. We are issuing a warning. We’ll see what happens in the coming days and we will make a final decision.”
Berrios, 31, dealt with elbow and shoulder issues during the 2025 season, landing on the injured list for the first time in his professional career.
Despite that, the Blue Jays right-hander recently said he is healthy, on track for Spring Training, and eager to represent Puerto Rico for the third time in the tournament.
Toronto outfielder George Springer was also invited by Puerto Rico manager Carlos Beltrán to join the team in December, but he declined the opportunity in order to focus on his health ahead of the upcoming MLB season.
Players participating in the World Baseball Classic must be insured to protect their MLB clubs in the event of a serious injury.
While lesser-known players typically have little trouble securing coverage, stars with significant contracts—such as Berrios, Lindor, and Correa—often face greater difficulty.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on whether Puerto Rico ultimately remains in the tournament and what the broader implications could be if the federation decides to withdraw from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 31|73 ANSWERS Blue Jays' Jose Berrios, others denied medical insurance Puerto Rico considering pulling team from 2026 WBC Do you think Puerto Rico will pull their national team from the 2026 World Baseball Classic? | ||
| Yes | 37 | 50.7 % |
| No | 17 | 23.3 % |
| Too early to tell | 19 | 26 % |
| List of polls | ||