BREAKING: Star closer Edwin Diaz will return to pitch for Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC), as confirmed today. This marks a significant comeback for Diaz, who suffered a devastating knee injury during the 2023 tournament, sidelining him for the entire season with the New York Mets.
Diaz, who recently signed a lucrative $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, tore the patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating Puerto Rico’s victory over the Dominican Republic in 2023. His contract was insured, allowing the Mets to avoid paying his salary that season. However, as the WBC approaches, insurance complications have emerged as a major hurdle, particularly affecting Puerto Rico.
A series of injuries and insurance denials have left the Puerto Rican roster in jeopardy. Notably, Francisco Lindor, announced as Puerto Rico’s captain, faces coverage issues due to an elbow procedure. Despite being deemed fit for spring training, Lindor is currently seeking alternative insurance options to secure his place on the team, with roster submissions due Tuesday.
The situation worsens as Puerto Rico is poised to miss several key players, including Carlos Correa, Victor Caratini, and pitchers Emilio Pagan, Jose Berrios, and Alexis Diaz, all impacted by similar insurance challenges. In light of these issues, Dr. Jose Quiles, president of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, has hinted at the possibility of withdrawing from the tournament, a move that would send shockwaves through the baseball community.
The WBC is scheduled to take place from March 6 to March 11 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. Diaz’s return offers a glimmer of hope, as he is regarded as one of the premier closers in the sport, boasting an impressive 201 saves since 2018, ranking fourth in the majors. In his last full season with the Mets in 2025, he converted 28 of 31 save opportunities, showcasing a 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts over 66.1 innings.
Notably, Diaz is not the only prominent player facing insurance struggles. Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros, who fractured his right thumb during the 2023 WBC, is also unable to participate for Venezuela this year due to insurance issues, despite no missed time in the previous season. Similar restrictions are affecting Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, who was denied coverage as he approaches his 37th birthday on February 24.
This developing situation raises urgent questions about player safety and coverage in high-stakes international tournaments. As the WBC draws near, fans are left to wonder how these insurance complications will affect the rosters of teams that rely heavily on their star players.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds, and watch for official roster announcements on Thursday night. The stakes are high, and the world is watching as Puerto Rico battles through adversity to compete on the global stage.
