Albert Pujols will not play in World Baseball Classic

Last Updated on February 17, 2009 1:19 am by Anthony Rome

Pujols Won’t Play in WBC

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols says he will not play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic because of insurance issues.

Bet on Major League Baseball
Pujols, who hit .357 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs for the Cardinals, says he regrets not being able to represent his native country in this year’s WBC. He played for the Dominican team in 2006.
Pujols says he is 100 percent physically “but the insurance does not want to cover” him to play, leaving the Dominican Republic without one of its biggest stars. He made the comments Monday during a conference call with Dominican baseball officials.
Pujols had elbow surgery in October.

Bet on Major League Baseball

Did you like this article? Subscribe to our Baseball news feed for the fastest updates delivered right to you – Click here to Subscribe

Posted: 2/17/09 1:19AM ET