The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is featuring many top athletes, yet several prominent players are unable to participate because they could not secure insurance coverage for the tournament. This issue has shaped some of the major storylines surrounding this international baseball event, where health and financial risks weigh heavily on players’ decisions to join their national teams. Carlos Santana’s inclusion despite similar hurdles highlights contrasting approaches among teams and organizations.
Texas Rangers’ Jack Leiter Misses Out Due to Insurance Denial
Jack Leiter, the Texas Rangers pitcher, announced in an exclusive interview with The Dallas Morning News that he would not be representing Team USA at the upcoming WBC. At just 25 years old, Leiter revealed his inability to obtain insurance coverage as the primary reason for declining the opportunity to compete on the international stage.
“But it just came down to crossing the ‘Ts’ and dotting ‘Is’ on the insurance. It came down to insurance stuff I don’t really understand. I couldn’t control it. And at the end, you worry about what you can control.”
— Jack Leiter, Texas Rangers pitcher
Leiter, whose father Al Leiter was a member of the inaugural Team USA roster in 2006, expressed his disappointment, making it clear how meaningful playing for his country was to him.
“It’s a dream of mine and high up on my list. It didn’t work out in the end. I was definitely frustrated and still am a little bit, but it will be fine.”
— Jack Leiter, Texas Rangers pitcher
After a solid 2025 season, where he posted a 10-10 record with a 3.86 ERA over 151.2 innings, Leiter finished seventh in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. His absence leaves a gap in the Team USA pitching corps, which already boasts stars such as Cy Young Award winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes, as well as New York Mets rising talent Nolan McLean. Leiter’s teammates from the Rangers, including Austin Bergner, Nabil Crismatt, Robert Garcia, Daniel Missaki, Alejandro Osuna, Cal Quantrill, Blake Townsend, and Ricardo Velez, will still be present at the tournament representing various countries.
Arizona Diamondbacks Approve Carlos Santana’s Participation Despite Age-Related Insurance Concerns
The Dominican Republic team enhanced its lineup by adding veteran Carlos Santana, who marks his 16th year in Major League Baseball. Santana’s inclusion required special accommodations from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who recently signed him to a one-year, $2 million contract. Because players over 37 years old were initially excluded from insurance coverage for the WBC, the D-backs assumed this risk to enable Santana’s participation.
General Manager Mike Hazen explained why the D-backs agreed to absorb the insurance risk, noting the significance of Santana’s role both on and off the field, particularly in connection with his new teammates Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo, who are expected to be key contributors for the Dominican Republic.
“If those two guys weren’t playing, I’m not sure we would have seen this in the same light. There’s a value there for us that those guys will be together. Part of the reason we signed him is that he’s such a great leader and influence. It made a lot of sense for us to absorb a little risk here.”
— Mike Hazen, Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager
One aim of signing Santana was to support Marte’s return to form after the second baseman faced challenges with teammates following a home burglary incident after the 2025 All-Star break. Santana’s veteran leadership is expected to help Marte regain his footing within the team.
Though Santana’s power numbers dipped slightly in 2025, with 11 home runs, he has maintained a strong performance over the years, hitting at least 18 homers each full MLB season. Notably, he tallied 46 home runs across the 2023 and 2024 seasons at ages 37 and 38.
Insurance Issues Cast a Shadow Over Player Availability and Team Composition
The insurance challenges that prevented Jack Leiter and other high-profile players from joining their national teams underscore the complex risks players and organizations face when participating in the World Baseball Classic. Teams often must weigh potential injury risks against the benefits of international competition, which can affect roster decisions and player availability.
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ choice to cover Carlos Santana’s insurance signals a strategic calculation centered on leadership and team chemistry, especially with Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo sharing time with Santana in the Dominican Republic lineup.
Meanwhile, Team USA’s pitching staff will compete without Leiter but still includes talent such as Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. Santana’s involvement, contrasting with Leiter’s absence, highlights differing approaches toward mitigating insurance risks in the WBC.
Implications for the World Baseball Classic and Future Tournaments
The complications caused by insurance availability will likely prompt further discussions across MLB and international governing bodies to better support player participation in future WBC cycles. With the competitive and symbolic importance of the Classic growing, ensuring adequate coverage and managing risk remain pressing challenges.
Players like Carlos Santana provide leadership and experience that can significantly impact their teams’ chances, emphasizing why some organizations are willing to accept insurance risks for key veterans. Conversely, younger stars, such as Jack Leiter, face tough decisions balancing career longevity with national pride and exposure.
