Insurance Concerns Sideline Puerto Rico Captain Lindor from WBC
New York Mets star Francisco Lindor will not be playing for Puerto Rico in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). His withdrawal stems from ongoing recovery after offseason elbow surgery, exacerbated by insurance-related constraints.
Francisco Lindor’s Surgery and Insurance Issues
Lindor underwent a right elbow debridement procedure in October, following the conclusion of the Mets’ season. Despite being named captain of Puerto Rico’s WBC team for the second consecutive tournament, he will not participate due to the implications of these insurance policies.
A statement from the MLB Players Association confirmed that Lindor’s injury made him ineligible under WBC insurance regulations. It expressed his disappointment, noting he would still take part in spring training activities.
Impact on Puerto Rico’s WBC Roster
Lindor’s absence represents a significant challenge for the Puerto Rican team, which is considered a strong contender in Pool A. Furthermore, Carlos Correa, a key player for Puerto Rico, also withdrew from the tournament for similar insurance reasons.
- Francisco Lindor: Captain of Puerto Rico
- Previous WBC Performance: Contributed to Puerto Rico’s success in reaching the final in 2017 and performed well in 2023.
- Statistics in 2023: 9 hits, 5 RBIs over 5 games.
- 2026 Tournament Schedule: Puerto Rico’s first match is against Colombia on March 6 at 6 p.m. ET.
Lindor’s Recent Performance with the Mets
In the previous MLB season, Lindor had an impressive performance, concluding the year with a .267 batting average, 31 home runs, and 86 RBIs across 160 games. He also led the National League in both plate appearances and at-bats.
His absence is a major blow to the Puerto Rican roster, which aims to build on past achievements in the World Baseball Classic. The full team rosters will be released on February 5, providing a clearer picture of the squad’s dynamics going into the tournament.
