Houston Astros’ key players Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa will be absent from this year’s World Baseball Classic after failing to secure contractual insurance, according to The Athletic. Without this coverage, both risk losing their salaries if they get injured during the tournament and miss regular-season games.
Correa expressed his disappointment, noting he had trained extensively in the offseason to improve and prepare for the WBC, but acknowledged the financial risks of playing without insurance. He is set to earn $31.5 million in 2026, including $10 million paid by the Minnesota Twins due to his trade back to Houston. Altuve’s current salary is $30 million, and he missed the first 43 games of the 2023 season due to a thumb fracture sustained in the WBC, which required surgery.
Before the tournament, all players on the 40-man roster are assessed by an independent insurer (agreed upon by MLB and the MLBPA) to decide if their contracts are insurable based on injury history. Players who cannot get insurance can still participate but face the risk of forfeiting pay if injured. Notably, Hall of Famers Miguel Cabrera and Clayton Kershaw also withdrew from the 2023 WBC for similar insurance reasons.
Correa, who battled torticollis and plantar fasciitis limiting him to 365 games out of 486 since 2022, played only 86 games in 2024. Altuve, meanwhile, underwent minor foot surgery in November but is expected to be ready for spring training. Teams can only bar players from WBC participation if they spent certain days on injured reserve last season—but while neither player meets this criteria, without insurance they risk salary loss. Astros’ owner Jim Crane advised both players to prioritize the team and spring training over WBC participation, especially after a rough injury year for the Astros.
Correa, 31, previously represented Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC and missed the 2023 event due to his wife’s pregnancy. Altuve, 35, has played for Venezuela in both the 2017 and 2023 tournaments.
Fan Take: This development highlights the increasing financial and health concerns players face when balancing international competition with MLB commitments. Fans should understand that while the WBC showcases global talent, protecting player contracts and careers remains a priority, potentially reshaping future participation in these international events.
