Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor will not participate in the World Baseball Classic after having a cleanup procedure on his right elbow earlier this offseason, the MLB Players Association said in a statement Friday.
Lindor had been planning to participate for his native Puerto Rico, the team he played for in the 2017 and ’23 tournaments.
“Francisco is obviously disappointed that he will be unable to participate. However, because of WBC insurance constraints, he is ineligible to play in WBC games,” said the statement, distributed by the MLBPA on Lindor’s behalf. “He will participate fully in all Spring Training activities.”
Lindor had the surgery in October. The procedure came two years after he had bone spurs removed from the same elbow.
Lindor, a five-time All-Star who turned 32 in November, signed a 10-year, $341 million contract with the Mets in 2021. Despite the elbow discomfort and various other ailments, he’s averaged 151 games per season with the Mets, including an average of 158 games the past four seasons.
Last season, he had an MLB-best 732 plate appearances and had an .811 OPS and 129 OPS+ in an All-Star campaign. He also made the 30-30 club for a second time, notching 31 homers and 31 stolen bases.
