Miguel Rojas, a veteran infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been barred from representing Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic after a new insurance provision prevented his contract from being covered once he turns 37, a rule he criticizes as unjust and potentially biased.
Rojas, who will celebrate his 37th birthday on February 24, learned that he cannot participate in the international tournament due to a clause that denies insurance for players aged 37 and older. He expressed his disappointment during the Dodgers’ fan event, emphasizing his desire to contribute to his national team even in a supportive role, stating, “I just wanted to be available for my country.” The insurance issue has emerged as a significant hurdle for this year’s WBC, affecting several high-profile players. Alongside Rojas, stars like Jose Altuve of Venezuela and Francisco Lindor of Puerto Rico have also been denied entry because their contracts could not be insured, highlighting a growing conflict between player participation and team financial protection.
The situation has prompted concerns from national baseball federations, with Puerto Rico’s president considering withdrawing from the tournament due to the potential absence of key players including Carlos Correa and multiple pitchers. This could undermine the competitive balance and prestige of the event, set to begin in March with Puerto Rico hosting Pool A in San Juan. Rojas raised questions about the equity of the rule, noting that it seems to disproportionately affect players from Latin American countries. He called for discussions with MLB officials to address what he perceives as a systemic issue, stressing that players should not be penalized for their age or origin when wanting to represent their homelands.
Insurance for the WBC is handled by the company NFP, under agreements between MLB and the Players Association, and it covers teams in case of injuries during the tournament. For example, in 2023, the New York Mets were compensated after Edwin Diaz’s knee injury while playing for Puerto Rico. Players are assessed based on risk categories such as “chronic,” “intermediate,” or “low risk,” with factors including injury history and contract size. Rojas, despite having a relatively small $5.5 million contract and no recent injuries, was denied solely due to his age under the new provision.
Teams have the option to allow players to participate without insurance, as the Detroit Tigers did with Miguel Cabrera, but it remains uncertain if the Dodgers will take that risk for Rojas. A decision is urgent, with WBC rosters due to be finalized on Tuesday and announced Thursday night. Rojas mentioned receiving a HIPAA form too late to explore alternatives, limiting his options. The controversy underscores broader challenges in balancing player aspirations with team interests in international competitions. As Rojas awaits a resolution, the incident may prompt reevaluation of insurance policies to ensure fair access for all athletes regardless of age or nationality.
