Veteran Dodgers utility player Rojas misses Classic due to insurance issues, questions age limit of 37

At today's DodgerFest held at the Los Angeles Dodgers' home stadium, veteran utility player Miguel Rojas openly showed his frustration during an interview, revealing that insurance problems prevented him from playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which made him feel "angry and disappointed."

Rojas said he had viewed the Classic as his sole chance to represent his country in his career, but was forced to give it up unexpectedly because of insurance issues. "I am deeply disappointed and cannot accept how this was handled. Losing the opportunity to represent my homeland due to insurance matters was completely unforeseen."

According to ESPN, this year the Classic introduced a new insurance age limit clause, making it difficult for players aged 37 and above to obtain contract insurance. The report cited sources indicating that players meeting any of five conditions—60 days on the injured list in the previous season, missing two of the last three games due to injury, undergoing surgery after the season, having multiple surgeries in their career, or still on the injured list as of August 31 last season—are classified as "chronic injury" high-risk, making insurance much harder to secure. Players assessed as "moderate" or "low risk" have an easier time getting coverage.

Rojas questioned the system itself, suggesting that insurance problems seem concentrated among Latin American players: "Why is it Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic? Players from the U.S. or Japan don’t appear to face the same issues. I’m not blaming anyone specifically, but since this only happens to Latin American players, it naturally raises questions."

Rojas will turn 37 on February 24, and the age limit rule for players over 37 in this Classic was one of the key factors preventing his participation. He strongly challenged the "37-year threshold," calling it unreasonable: "If I can play for the Dodgers and in Major League games, why can’t I represent Venezuela? Being denied the chance to wear my national team’s jersey just because of my age is unfair."

On the same day, news emerged that Puerto Rico is considering withdrawing from the Classic due to similar issues. Although Puerto Rico is hosting the qualifiers, several core players including Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa have also been forced out because of insurance problems. The insurance system has become a highly controversial topic during the preparations for this year's Classic.