Shock Fallout: Javier Báez Barred from World Baseball Classic 2026 After Controversial Drug Test!

Detroit Tigers’ standout Javier Báez won’t be donning the Puerto Rican jersey at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and the reason isn’t some last-minute injury or a coaching decision—it’s a suspension tied to a positive marijuana test during the 2023 tournament. Yep, you heard that right. According to The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen, the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s strict drug policy hands down a two-year ban for any player testing positive for marijuana in its events. Báez’s 2023 positive means he’s sidelined from WBSC competitions between April 26, 2024, and April 26, 2026—unfortunately overlapping with the Classic’s March 2026 schedule.

Now, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have been hustling to get Báez back in the game for Puerto Rico, but the WBSC isn’t budging on its stance. This blows another hole in Puerto Rico’s lineup, already thinned out by stars like Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa being denied insurance coverage due to prior injuries. It’s gotten so tough that Puerto Rico’s even toying with the idea of pulling out of the tournament altogether.

Interestingly, Báez won’t face any MLB penalties since the league made marijuana allowances back in 2020, but this doesn’t soften the blow for the island’s team. The 12-year veteran, 33, has been on a roll for the Tigers, snagging a spot on the American League All-Star team with decent stats all around. He’s been a familiar face for Puerto Rico in prior Classics, sporting a Puerto Rican flag tattoo that speaks volumes about his pride. Yet, this latest hurdle throws a shadow over his international play, stirring up tough questions about the sport’s drug policies and national team struggles.

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Detroit Tigers All-Star Javier Báez has been ruled ineligible to play for Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic due to 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 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 to March 17, takes place during that period

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 was also unable to get insurance and was left off Puerto Rico’s WBC roster, announced on Thursday.

With so many players unavailable to play, Puerto Rico had considered withdrawing from the WBC.

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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.