{"id":588159,"date":"2026-02-23T11:25:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T11:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/588159\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T11:25:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T11:25:45","slug":"phillies-pitcher-jose-alvarado-says-insurance-will-prevent-him-from-representing-venezuela-in-wbc-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/588159\/","title":{"rendered":"Phillies pitcher Jos\u00e9 Alvarado says insurance will prevent him from representing Venezuela in WBC"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Associated<\/a>Sun, February 22, 2026 at 9:48 PM UTC\"\"<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Phillies’ Jos\u00e9 Alvarado works out during spring training baseball Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Clearwater, Fla. (AP Photo\/Matt Slocum)<\/p>\n

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)<\/p>\n

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) \u2014 Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jos\u00e9 Alvarado announced on social media Sunday that insurance issues will prevent him from representing Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.<\/p>\n

Alvarado wrote on his Instagram message<\/a> the news \u201cdeeply saddens me.\u201d He added \u201cthe insurance required for my participation was not approved. This is a situation that is beyond my control and without a doubt it fills me with sadness and is difficult to understand. I had the hope and commitment to once again wear my country’s jersey for the third consecutive time. Representing Venezuela has always been one of the greatest honors of my career.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tournament runs from March 5-17<\/a> in Tokyo, Houston, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Miami, where the final will be played.<\/p>\n

Alvarado is the latest player to be blocked from participating in the World Baseball Classic by insurance issues. Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa were left off Puerto Rico\u2019s roster<\/a> due to insurance. Jose Altuve<\/a> also was not included on Venezuela\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n

The tournament is co-owned by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, and insurance is provided by National Financial Partners.<\/p>\n

Alvarado, 30, had a 3.81 ERA and seven saves in 28 games for Philadelphia last season. He served an 80-game suspension<\/a> for violating baseball\u2019s performance-enhancing drug policy. He was suspended on May 18 following a positive test for an external testosterone.<\/p>\n

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the positive test was caused by a weight loss drug Alvarado took during the offseason.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP MLB: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/mlb<\/a><\/p>\n