Javier Baez’s World Baseball Classic marijuana suspension is a frustrating development

Detroit Tigers Infielder Javier Baez will not be able to participate in this year’s World Baseball Classic due to a failed marijuana test during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Due to that failed test, he was banned from participating in World Baseball Softball Confederation events until the end of April 2026.

This year’s World Baseball Classic will take place between March 5, 2026 and March 17, 2026.

It’s a frustrating development for a Puerto Rico team that will already be without Francisco Lindor (New York Mets) and Carlos Correa (Houston Astros), among other MLB players, because they are not approved for insurance purposes.

It is all the more frustrating because he tested positive two years ago.

Javier Baez has not broken any MLB rules, but the MLB is powerless to fix them

According to a report from The Athletic, as well as Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, tried to work toward reinstating Baez’s eligibility Friday, but the WBSC had no interest in changing its drug policy. Not even now that the suspension is so close to the end.

What must make things even more maddening and frustrating for Baez and Puerto Rico is that MLB has allowed players to use marijuana since the 2020 season. So he didn’t even break MLB rules.

But because the WBSC has different regulations and drug policies, there’s nothing MLB can do to fix this.

It’s a difficult situation for a team from Puerto Rico that has already lost several key stars.

Baez had a bounce-back year for the Tigers in 2025, finishing with a 1.9 win above replacement and a .680 OPS. That was a significant jump from the minus-1.1 WAR and .516 OPS he posted during the 2024 season.