Miguel Rojas recently shared that he won’t be taking part in the World Baseball Classic due to a lack of insurance coverage from his MLB contract.
At the Dodgers’ Fan Fest event over the weekend, he expressed his frustration openly.
“I’m definitely disappointed,” Rojas explained, noting that he had never participated in the WBC before and plans to retire after this season. “I didn’t realize that my chance to represent my country, probably for the first time, would be hindered by insurance matters. Sure, I get that I need to focus on my season and contract, but honestly, I didn’t see all these restrictions coming.”
Rojas isn’t alone in facing insurance-related challenges this year. A number of prominent Puerto Rican players, including Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Jose Berrios, had to opt out as well, prompting discussions among the baseball federation about possibly withdrawing from the tournament entirely.
Venezuela is also dealing with issues, with players like Jose Altuve and Carlos Narváez unable to compete for similar reasons.
There are even more MLB players reportedly awaiting resolution on their insurance situations.
“There’s a lot I could say about this process,” he said, mentioning his activity on social media about the topic. “I don’t think people fully understand.”
Insurance matters have always been tricky for athletes wishing to compete in the WBC. Teams require this coverage to mitigate risks associated with injuries that could happen during the tournament, essentially safeguarding them if a player misses the regular season due to a WBC-related issue.
Players who have chronic injuries or recently had surgery often face denial. For instance, Clayton Kershaw withdrew from the 2023 WBC due to similar insurance complications.
This year, however, it seems more players are encountering these issues, fueling further frustration, particularly as Rojas pointed out that Latin American countries seem most affected.
“I don’t think this would happen in the United States or Japan,” Rojas stated. “I’m not trying to attack anyone or the situation, but it appears to mainly affect Latin American players who just want to represent their countries. There’s a lot I’d like to discuss with someone from management or MLB.”
Rojas has faced multiple injuries in recent years, including hernia surgery last offseason, but managed to avoid the injured list in 2025. He was, however, surprised to learn about the new insurance rules for this year’s event.
Since he’ll be turning 37 before the tournament kicks off, he was denied an opportunity solely based on his age.
“It’s really tough not having the chance to represent your country and play in the World Baseball Classic. And I’m 37, so this feels like a lost opportunity,” he remarked. “I just don’t think that’s fair. If I can still perform in the big leagues for the Dodgers, why can’t I play and represent Venezuela?”
