Houston Astros third baseman Carlos Correa won't participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic after failing to receive insurance on his major-league contract, he told The Athletic's Chandler Rome on Tuesday.
Correa was prepared to suit up for Puerto Rico but said he risked forfeiting regular-season salary if he missed any games due to injuries sustained at the event.
"I'm definitely upset because I've been preparing really hard this offseason to get better this year and be ready early so I can be ready for the WBC," Correa told Rome.
"I also understand the business side of things and that's too big of a risk to take, to play with no insurance."
Correa joins Astros teammate Jose Altuve in missing the event. Altuve won't play for Venezuela due to insurance issues, a source told Rome. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reported Monday that Altuve was opting out at the Astros' request, citing a source.
Altuve had expressed interest in joining Venezuela's roster, which is being managed by Astros bench coach Omar López.
"I signed the paper that I'm willing to go and play like I did for in the last two WBCs," Altuve said Saturday, according to Rome. "It's always an honor to represent my country. I played in the last one and the one before and I'm trying to do it in this one. I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but it seems like this year it's not up to me."
Astros owner Jim Crane is in charge of deciding on WBC participation for multiple players in the organization, sources told Rome. Crane told Correa the club had too many injuries last season and he wanted the three-time All-Star "to focus on the team and spring training" instead of the WBC, the third baseman said.
Correa and Altuve have a history of injuries, with the latter missing 43 MLB games in 2023 after fracturing his right thumb on a hit-by-pitch at the WBC.
