Catcher Iván Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals is unlikely to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to an insurance issue stemming from his offseason surgery.
“News from (Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim) Bloom — Iván Herrera has to date not been able to receive insurance to compete in the WBC due to his offseason surgery. Waiting on a final resolution in the coming days but as of now it appears unlikely that he’ll be able to play,” Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.
The update places Herrera’s status in doubt as the international tournament approaches, with a final determination still pending. However, as Jones noted, the current outlook suggests he will not be cleared to compete.
Herrera plays for the Cardinals, who now could see one of their key catchers remain stateside during the event, where he will continue rehabilation at spring training, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He is expected to begin drills this week. He had hoped to play for Team Panama in the World Baseball Classic.
Herrera’s situation adds to a growing list of players who will miss the event for various reasons. Earlier this week, ESPN reported that Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks broke the hamate bone in his right hand and will miss the tournament while recovering from surgery.
Similarly, Jackson Holliday of the Baltimore Orioles will undergo surgery to repair a broken hamate bone and is expected to miss Opening Day.
In a separate case, Javier Báez has been suspended from the 2026 WBC following a positive marijuana test during the 2023 tournament.
While other absences are tied to injuries or suspension, Herrera’s potential withdrawal centers on insurance clearance following surgery, leaving his participation uncertain as organizers await a final resolution.