Overview
- Playing at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, Puerto Rico shut out Colombia 5-0 to start Pool A, with manager Yadier Molina stressing the group’s belief and resilience.
- The MLB Players’ Association confirmed Lindor is ineligible for WBC games because of insurance constraints, and Correa was also denied coverage.
- Bad Bunny offered to fund alternate insurance for top Puerto Rico stars, but the proposed provider was not approved by MLB, the Astros, or Correa’s agent, Scott Boras.
- Additional absences include Javier Báez due to a three-year suspension from a 2023 positive test and Enrique Hernández following elbow surgery, while catcher Victor Caratini and reliever Alexis Díaz faced insurance denials.
- Initial insurance rejections for relievers Jovani Moran, Luis Quiñones, and Yacksel Ríos were later overturned, and José Berríos was denied for pool play but could be eligible for the quarterfinals.