Miguel Rojas unhappy with insurance's denial for WBC - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — A new insurance provision for this year's World Baseball Classic prevents players from having their contracts insured once they turn 37 years old.

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, who turns 37 on Feb. 24, was denied an opportunity to play for his home country of Venezuela in his final season as a player because of that, a source of frustration for the 12-year veteran.

«It's really tough,» Rojas said during the Dodgers' annual fan event Saturday. «I didn't know if I was going to be part of the team. I just wanted to be available. If something happened and I'm not part of the team in the first round, I can replace one of the players. I can be there for practice. I just wanted to be there and just wanted to be available for my country.»

Insurance approval has emerged as a central issue in the lead-up to this year's WBC, which has grown into a prestigious baseball tournament.

Jose Altuve, who would have been the starting second baseman for Venezuela, and Francisco Lindor, the shortstop for Puerto Rico, were the latest stars denied entry because their contracts were not insured. The Puerto Rican national team is also reportedly expected to be without third baseman Carlos Correa, catcher Victor Caratini, and pitchers Emilio Pagan, Jose Berrios and Alexis Diaz, prompting the president of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, Dr. Jose Quiles, to publicly consider dropping out of the tournament.

Puerto Rico is set to host Pool A from March 6 to March 11 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, located in the capital city of San Juan.

«My only question is: Why is it just with our countries [in Latin America], like Venezuela, Puerto Rico, a couple Dominican players?» Rojas said. «I don't see that happening with the United