The Los Angeles Dodgers veteran officially confirmed that he will not participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, joining a growing list of MLB stars forced to step aside. The news hit hard for Rojas, who shared his disappointment directly with fans through an emotional Instagram story.
“Today is very sad,”Rojas wrote in Spanish. “A real pity to not be able to represent my country and put this flag on my chest. On this occasion, age wasn’t just a number.”
The post included an image of Miguel Rojas draped in the Venezuelan flag, a powerful visual that quickly resonated with fans. At 37 years old, the infielder had hoped for another chance to represent Team Venezuela, after being part of the 2023 WBC roster without appearing in a game.
Why Miguel Rojas won’t play in the World Baseball Classic
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Rojas was ruled out due to insurance coverage issues related to his age, a growing obstacle for veteran players hoping to compete in international tournaments.
As a result, Rojas will spend all of Spring Training 2026 with the Dodgers, focusing fully on the MLB season. He has already indicated that he plans to retire after the 2026 campaign and transition into a front-office role within the organization.
This situation echoes what happened to Clayton Kershaw, who was also unable to participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic because of insurance concerns tied to his injury history.
A growing WBC trend among MLB stars
Rojas isn’t alone. Reports indicate that José Altuve (Venezuela) and Carlos Correa (Puerto Rico) will also miss the upcoming World Baseball Classic for similar insurance-related reasons, highlighting a recurring issue for veteran stars on MLB 40-man rosters.
Under WBC rules, players must obtain insurance coverage approved by MLB and the Players Association. If a player is deemed uninsurable, teams are not required to guarantee their contracts in case of injury-making participation too risky for many.
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