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Why Jose Altuve isn't playing for Venezuela in WBC despite desire from Astros star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jose Altuve wanted to suit up for his country in the World Baseball Classic.
But sadly for him and for Team Venezuela, the diminutive second baseman won't be taking part in the WBC after all.
Altuve is one of the top players currently in MLB from Venezuela, a career-long member of the Houston Astros who has vastly exceeded the expectations he had as a cheap-signing, 5-foot-6 unknown.
He has 2,388 hits in his MLB career, which is second-most in Astros history behind just Craig Biggio.
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Venezuela is in Pool D in the WBC, which also includes the Netherlands, Israel, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic.
They first play an exhibition game against the Astros on March 3.
Altuve, though, won't be playing on the Venezuela side.
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Why isn't Jose Altuve playing for Venezuela in the WBC?
Altuve is not participating in the WBC per a request from the Astros, according to MLB.com.
There is injury risk, and Altuve was denied coverage for his $33 million contract ahead of this tournament.
Altuve fractured his right thumb in the 2023 WBC and had to miss the first 43 games of the regular season for Houston.
He also had an offseason procedure on his right foot.
"I signed the paper that I'm willing to go and play like I did for in the last two WBCs," Altuve told The Athletic in January. "It's always an honor to represent my country. I played in the last one and the one before and I'm trying to do it in this one. I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but it seems like this year it's not up to me."
Astros star Carlos Correa also didn't get insurance on his contract and won't be playing for Puerto Rico.
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