Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz will participate in the World Baseball Classic.

Edwin Diaz to Play for Team Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic

Edwin Diaz, the new closer for the Dodgers, has confirmed his participation with Team Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. This commitment, however, hinges on whether Puerto Rico follows through on its threat to withdraw from the tournament due to recent insurance issues affecting player participation.

In recent weeks, a significant topic related to the WBC has been star players opting out of the event. Many of them cite their MLB contracts as a reason for not being adequately insured against potential injuries sustained during the tournament.

Team Puerto Rico has seen several key players, including Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, Jose Berrios, and Emilio Pagan, pull out because of these insurance complications.

On Saturday, the president of Puerto Rico’s baseball federation suggested that the team might withdraw entirely from the tournament, even though they are scheduled to host group stage games starting next month.

Yet, the inclusion of Diaz—arguably one of the top closers in Major League Baseball—could ease some of the concerns. Diaz is a three-time All-Star with a total of 253 career saves under his belt. Last year, he posted a 1.63 ERA while playing for the New York Mets and recently signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers.

During the last WBC in 2023, Diaz demonstrated the importance of insurance for MLB players. After an exhilarating win against the Dominican Republic, he unfortunately suffered a torn right patellar tendon during the celebratory on-field moments, sidelining him for the entire 2023 MLB season. Thankfully, insurance on his contract meant the Mets were reimbursed for his lost salary during that time.

Recent reports highlight that Diaz’s injury might contribute to the challenges athletes now face in securing insurance coverage for this WBC. Interestingly, after overcoming that setback, Diaz returned to play in 116 games across two seasons, indicating that insurance hasn’t been a barrier for him moving forward.