Detroit Tigers All-Star Javier Báez has been ruled ineligible to play for Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic after testing positive for marijuana during the 2023 tournament, The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen reports.
Under World Baseball Softball Confederation rules, anyone testing positive for marijuana in its events is ineligible for two years. Báez tested positive in 2023, which made him ineligible to play in WBSC events from April 26, 2024 to April 26, 2026. The 2026 WBC, played from March 5-17, takes place during that period
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Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have been working in tandem to restore Báez’s eligibility for the 2026 tournament. But the WBSC isn’t willing to make an exception on its drug policy, according to Stavenhagen.
Báez being ruled ineligible is another setback for Puerto Rico, which has had difficulty assembling a roster for the 2026 WBC due to players being denied insurance coverage because of previous injuries.
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor had coverage denied due to two surgeries on his right elbow over the past three years. Others unable to get insurance for the tournament include Houston Astros third baseman Carlos Correa who was left off Puerto Rico’s WBC roster, announced on Thursday.
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With so many players unavailable to play, Puerto Rico had considered withdrawing from the WBC.
Báez’s positive marijuana test will not result in any penalty from MLB. The league has allowed marijuana use since 2020.
The 12-year MLB veteran, 33, had a resurgent season for the Tigers this season, playing shortstop and center field. He was named to the American League All-Star team and finished with a .257/.282/.398 average, 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 57 RBI.
Báez played for Puerto Rico in the 2017 and 2023 WBC. He has a Puerto Rican flag tattooed on one of his arms.
