Javier Baez’s WBC Ineligibility
Javier Baez was deemed ineligible to play for Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic due to a positive marijuana test, resulting in a two-year ban from World Baseball Softball Confederation events. Despite MLB’s allowance of marijuana use since 2020, Baez will miss the upcoming tournament, which starts in March 2024. Team Puerto Rico is also facing roster challenges, with players like Francisco Lindor unable to participate due to insurance issues. The team’s operations manager indicated that withdrawing from the tournament is a possibility if suitable substitutes cannot be found.
