Why Astros stars Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve won't play in World Baseball Classic

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Why Astros stars Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve won't play in World Baseball Classic originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Houston Astros have a lot of great talent on the roster, and many of the players would easily be core contributors for a team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

However, two of the biggest stars aren't going to play in the tournament this Spring. Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve both won't play in the WBC this year.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic revealed the simple reason why both Correa and Altuve won't be playing in the World Baseball Classic. It's a simple reason, they both couldn't receive insurance on their contracts before the tournament.

Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa to miss WBC after insurance issue​

"After conversations with Houston Astros owner Jim Crane regarding his participation and the inability to receive insurance on his contract," Rome writes, "Carlos Correa will not play for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, he told The Athletic on Tuesday morning."

This is a significant update for Correa, as if he were to play in the tournament this year without insurance, he would be risking his 2026 salary if he were to miss any time if he got hurt during the tournament.

In such a scenario, Correa would have to forfeit part of his contract. It's a big blow for any player, but especially for Correa, whose deal is a massive one at $31 million.

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Altuve is in the same boat, as his insurance issue is also withholding him from playing for Team Venezuela this Spring.

This insurance issue isn't just impacting these Astros players, as many other players around the league are also finding it difficult to get insurance.

But, for the Astors veteran pair, neither Altuve nor Correa will be participating in the World Baseball Classic due to being unable to get insurance for their contracts if an injury were to occur.

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