Berríos won't join Puerto Rico for quarterfinals after insurance denied

Puerto Rico's pitching staff isn't going to get a boost in the quarterfinals after all.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos won't join his national team in the next round of the World Baseball Classic after being denied insurance, Puerto Rico general manager Carlos Beltrán announced Tuesday after his team's loss to Canada, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

"We feel bad because in some way or another we know the intention that he had was to be with us, helping us out, he worked really hard here getting ready," Beltrán said, per Sportsnet's Hazel Mae. "He's in a program ... pitching 70 pitches, and he feels healthy."

Earlier in the day, Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina said the Blue Jays had signed off on Berríos' participation.

Berríos, who competed in each of the past three WBCs, was one of several Puerto Rican players who weren't included on the team's initial roster due to insurance issues. He finished the 2025 season on the injured list with elbow inflammation and missed the Blue Jays' run to the World Series.

However, the 31-year-old has looked sharp in Grapefruit League action thus far, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with seven strikeouts and four walks over 10 2/3 spring innings for Toronto.

Had Berríos been cleared, he likely would have started Puerto Rico's quarterfinal game. Instead, Molina will presumably turn to Seth Lugo, who started the Pool A opener and would be pitching in the quarterfinals on six days' rest.

Puerto Rico, which hosted Pool A in San Juan, beat Cuba on Monday to clinch a spot in the WBC quarterfinals for the first time since 2017. The team currently sits first in Pool A but would finish second if Canada beats Cuba on Tuesday.