Lindor Out of 2026 WBC Over Insurance Denial

Francisco Lindor, the star shortstop for the New York Mets and captain of Puerto Rico's national team, will not participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic after being denied insurance coverage due to a recent elbow procedure. The announcement, made by the Major League Baseball Players Association on Friday, comes just days before rosters are finalized, casting uncertainty over Puerto Rico's participation in the tournament that begins March 5.

Lindor underwent a cleanup procedure on his right elbow in October 2025 following the MLB season. While the Mets and the players association expect him to be fully ready for spring training and Opening Day, the World Baseball Classic's insurance requirements, administered by National Financial Partners, deemed his injury history too risky. Lindor qualifies as a "chronic" case under the policy, which flags players who have spent significant time on the injured list, undergone multiple surgeries or had recent procedures. His six-year, $204.6 million contract further complicated approval, as the insurance covers the player's salary in case of injury during the event, protecting MLB clubs from financial loss.