SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Jose Berrios’ hopes of joining Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals were dashed late Tuesday when he didn’t get approval from the tournament’s insurers.
Carlos Beltran, the team’s general manager, made the announcement after his team wrapped up its pool play with a 3-2 loss to Canada. Earlier in the day, he spoke of how the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander was “super excited” about participating while manager Yadier Molina shared initial plans for him to follow Seth Lugo in their next game.
But the final word reached team decision-makers during the game, extending the frustrations Puerto Rico, among other countries, had with the insurers, who earlier ruled out Berrios, Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa from pool play.
“We feel bad because in some way or another, we know the intention that he had to be with us, of helping us out, that he worked really hard here in Puerto Rico, getting ready,” Beltran said in Spanish comments translated into English. “He feels healthy. There's no doubt that it would have helped us to have him.”
Berrios finished last season on the injured list with elbow inflammation, which led to his initial rejection, but he said earlier this spring it was possible he’d get approved for the second round. “They said they have to see me and evaluate me,” he explained Feb. 23. “If I'm healthy, then they will insure me.”
Ultimately, they did not, even though Berrios has made three starts this spring, logging 10.2 innings while allowing four runs on eight hits and four walks with seven strikeouts. He’s earning $19 million this year and is due $24 million in each of 2027 and 2028 if he doesn’t an exercise an opt-out after this season.
“There's no doubt the process has been frustrating,” said Beltran, adding that process “at some point in time should be re-evaluated. This kind of situation … we need to look at the significance, what that player means for each country that they represent.
“Yadi had a chance of playing in four Classics, and so did I. He has been a coach in two Classics. To represent your country is something that is important,” said Beltran. “So I think at some point in time WBC should re-evaluate this thing about the permissions, because in one way or another it doesn't help.”
Puerto Rico had already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals before the loss to Canada, which can finish atop Pool A with a win Wednesday against Cuba. A Cuban win will put Puerto Rico in first, with the Cubans joining them in Houston.
Earlier in the day Beltran said Berrios had called him, “saying, ‘I'm here for whatever you need me and in the way that you need me. All that I want is to wear Puerto Rico's jersey.’ That's just fabulous.”
Berrios is scheduled to start for the Blue Jays on Thursday at the Phillies, while Puerto Rico will need to adjust its pitching plans.
“We drafted a team counting on Jose Berrios, but when we received the unfortunate news today, we had to make a move,” Joey Sola, operations manager for the Puerto Rican team. “He did not comply with the requirements of his insurance company. That's what we were informed, so his permission was denied. …
“The team has faced all adversities that have been placed before us, and we keep on moving and doing what we can at the next stage.”
