The Toronto Blue Jays pitcher has been one of several players unable to get approval for the international tournament
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is just around the corner and is set to take place from March 5-17.
Most teams have already submitted their 30-man rosters for the international competition, but one team is still waiting to learn the status of several players.
According to WBC reporter Shawn Spradling, Puerto Rico submitted their 30-man roster with three empty spots. The team is working to get approvals for New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios.
Currently, Berrios and several other players, including the aforementioned ones, have been unable to get approval for the WBC because of insurance coverage.
The insurance coverage for the WBC, as reported by Roundtable Sports' Jami Leabow, is in place to cover Major League Baseball teams in case a player suffers an injury in the tournament. The insurance covers a position player's salary for two years and a pitcher's salary for four years.
Whether or not the insurance approves coverage of a player is dependent on age, position and injury history.
Berrios meets all three factors that would raise some red flags under those factors.
The 31-year-old right-handed pitcher was moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen by the Blue Jays last season and ended the year on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation.
Berrios ERA ballooned from 3.60 in 2024 to 4.17 in 2025. He also fanned 138 batters in 166 innings pitched across 31 appearances (30 starts) last year.
Berrios doesn't have the extended injury history as some of the other players who have been denied coverage but his salary ($19 million in 2026 according to Spotrac) could leave the insurance provider on the hook for at least $76 million if he suffers a significant injury, possibly more.
Berrios has an opt-out after this season. If he chooses not to exercise it, he'll be paid $24 million in both 2027 and '28, respectively.
According to Leabow's story (via a report from Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drelich of the Athletic), the WBC's insurance provider is being more strict on coverage this iteration of the tournament due to significant injuries suffered by players such as Houston Astros infielder Jose Altuve and then-New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz in the '23 WBC.
According to the report from Rosenthal and Drelich, the WBC isn't involved in the decisions and it's entirely up to the insurers.
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