MLB

Why are MLB players not playing in the WBSC Premier12 2024?

Some of the biggest names in world baseball are competing in the Premier12 tournament, but not anyone currently on an MLB roster.

(FILES) Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani warms up during practice at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 20, 2024, ahead of the 2024 MLB Seoul Series baseball game between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani had surgery on November 5 to repair his left shoulder after it was partially dislocated in game two of the club's World Series triumph over the New York Yankees, the Dodgers said. The Major League Baseball team said in a statement that Ohtani had "successful arthroscopic surgery" in Los Angeles to repair a labrum tear that resulted from the dislocation. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)
JUNG YEON-JE | AFP
Jeffrey May
Jeffrey Maytwitter
A product of Cajun country in south Louisiana, Jeff played football through high school, and baseball through college and beyond. After getting a BFA from the Savannah College of Art & Design, he moved to London, where he worked for Sky Sports and coached the 2005 British Champion Croydon Pirates baseball team. He also cooks a mean jambalaya.
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The WBSC Premier12 is back in 2024, showcasing elite talent from the world’s top 12 baseball nations. But Major League Baseball (MLB) fans hoping to catch their favorite stars might be disappointed. No players from MLB 40-man rosters will compete, and that’s by design due to league rules and logistical challenges.

Unlike the World Baseball Classic (WBC), where MLB collaborates more closely, the Premier12 is primarily organized by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). MLB’s participation rules keep active roster players out, largely to avoid disruptions to offseason rest and rehabilitation routines.

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With the Premier12 happening in November, many MLB athletes are either recovering from the grueling season or preparing for the next one. This timing makes it impractical for teams to risk injury to high-value players. Additionally, this period sees MLB organizations focusing on roster maneuvers, like finalizing contract negotiations and dealing with roster changes, adding another layer of complexity to player availability.

Nonetheless, the Premier12 is a proving ground for future stars, with participants drawn from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, Korea’s KBO League, and U.S. Minor League systems. While the absence of marquee MLB names might be noticeable, fans still get a taste of elite international talent, and for many younger or fringe players, the tournament serves as an opportunity to raise their profile on a big stage.

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