José Alvarado Out of WBC Due to Insurance Issues

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander José Alvarado announced via social media that insurance issues will prevent him from representing Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, a situation he described as "beyond my control" and deeply saddening. Alvarado, 30, had hoped to play for his country for the third consecutive time. He posted a 3.81 ERA with seven saves in 28 games for the Phillies last season, which included an 80-game suspension for a PED violation attributed to a weight loss drug.