The Houston Astros will be without stars Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), as both confirmed their absences due to contractual insurance issues. Their withdrawal could impact the team’s infield strength and fan interest in the event. This marks a significant development for Major League Baseball’s premier international tournament, which begins March 5 and features games in Houston, Miami, Tokyo, and San Juan.
Correa Withdraws from Team Puerto Rico
Carlos Correa, the Astros’ infielder, has been an MLB All-Star and World Series winner. He announced he will not play for Team Puerto Rico at the 2026 WBC because he could not get insurance for his $31 million 2026 contract. Without insurance, a tournament injury could cost him his regular-season salary.
Correa expressed disappointment but acknowledged the difficult business side of the decision. He told The Athletic he had prepared this offseason intensely with the WBC in mind, only to have insurance fall through — a risk too great to take given the potential financial consequences.
Correa played for Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC and helped the team reach the later rounds. He opted out of the 2023 WBC for personal reasons before this year’s event.
Altuve Also Sits Out with Similar Issues
Before Correa’s news, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve confirmed he will also skip the WBC. He wanted to play for Team Venezuela but could not secure insurance to protect his MLB salary if injured.
Altuve’s injury history complicates his situation. In the 2023 WBC, a pitch fractured his thumb, causing him to miss 43 regular-season games. Though Altuve is now healthy after a minor foot procedure, the lack of insurance coverage makes the Astros hesitant to clear him to participate.
At Astros FanFest, Altuve said representing Venezuela means a lot to him, but this year’s decision was out of his hands.
Why Insurance Matters for MLB Players
Third-party insurance allows MLB players to join the WBC by reimbursing teams for salaries lost to tournament injuries. Without this coverage, clubs and players face major financial risks.
Players may not get insurance if they have a history of injuries, have spent much time on the injured list, or have had recent surgeries. Correa’s injury history complicated coverage, while Altuve’s 2023 WBC injury and foot surgery likely concerned underwriters. Insurance problems have affected other MLB stars. In 2023, Kershaw and Cabrera faced insurance issues, but Detroit accepted the risk to let Cabrera play.
Astros’ Injury Woes and Bigger Picture
Houston’s recent injury history has been widely documented. The team suffered unprecedented injuries last season, contributing to its inability to win the American League West title. This string of setbacks prompted organizational reviews of player health protocols and training staff roles.
Losing Correa and Altuve for the WBC is a setback for fans and for Puerto Rico and Venezuela. This shows a growing MLB trend: financial and health concerns take priority over international play.
What’s Next for the WBC
With Correa and Altuve sidelined, attention now turns to other Astros players who may still participate. Jeremy Peña and Framber Valdez are among those mentioned as potential WBC representatives, particularly for the Dominican Republic. Peña has WBC experience; Valdez skipped the last tournament on the Astros advice but wants to play. Peña has WBC experience; Valdez skipped the last tournament on the Astros advice but wants to play.