Why Dodgers star will be missing from most of Spring Training

New Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz has officially committed to playing in next month’s World Baseball Classic for Team Puerto Rico.

Assuming, that is, the country doesn’t follow through with its threat to pull out of the tournament following a wave of player withdrawals over insurance-related issues.

Edwin Díaz speaks during his introduction as a new member of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) AP

Over the last couple weeks, the biggest storyline surrounding the WBC has been the star players who announced they would be unable to participate, often because of an inability to get their MLB contracts insured against potential injury in the event.

The withdrawals had particularly decimated Team Puerto Rico, which lost Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, José Berrios, Emilio Pagan and others because of insurance problems.

On Saturday, the president of its baseball federation publicly floated the idea that the team might withdraw from the triannual tournament entirely –– even though it is scheduled to host group-stage games on its home soil next month.

But the addition of Díaz, arguably the top closer in Major League Baseball, could help alleviate those concerns.

The right-hander is a three-time All-Star with 253 career saves. He pitched to a 1.63 ERA with the New York Mets last year, before signing with the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million contract this offseason.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 15: Edwin Diaz #39 of Puerto Rico celebrates after the final out in the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic Pool D of the game against the Dominican Republic at loanDepot park on March 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) Getty Images

In the most recent WBC in 2023, Díaz became an example of why insurance policies are a requirement in the event for MLB players. After closing out a win against the Dominican Republic, which clinched Puerto Rico’s spot in the quarterfinals, he tore his right patellar tendon in an on-field celebration.

That injury forced Díaz, who at the time was just months removed from signing a $102 million deal with the Mets, to miss all of the subsequent 2023 MLB season. But because his contract had been insurance, the Mets were reimbursed for his salary for the time that he missed. 

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Díaz’s 2023 injury is at least part of the reason why insurance policies have proven more difficult for players to obtain in the run-up to this WBC.

However, when it came to Díaz himself –– who has made 116 appearances in his two seasons since returning from injury –– obtaining insurance again apparently didn’t prove to be an impediment.

He is back in the WBC, becoming the fifth Dodgers participant for next month’s event.