Summary
Houston Astros player Jose Altuve will not play for Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic because his team asked him not to. This decision follows his thumb injury in the previous tournament in 2023. Despite his absence, Team Venezuela has other strong players lined up.
Key Facts
- Jose Altuve plays for the Houston Astros and is a nine-time All-Star.
- He will not play for Team Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- The Astros requested Altuve not to participate after he injured his thumb in the 2023 tournament.
- In past tournaments, Altuve showed varying performance statistics, with a .214 batting average in 2023.
- Altuve expressed his wish to play for Venezuela, citing it as an honor to represent his country.
- Team Venezuela's potential roster includes players like Ronald Acuna Jr. and Salvador Perez.
- Team Venezuela has made it out of pool play in the last two tournaments.
- They face teams like the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands in the 2026 tournament.
