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This bodes well for his intentions to be the primary catcher this season. I like the WBC and enjoy watching it, but Herrera is best served in camp, working with the pitchers and staying on track for a healthy start to the season.

Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

Insurance has become a “roadblock,” the Cardinals learned Thursday.

Herrera does not expect to leave Cardinals camp and compete for Team Panama in the WBC after it became difficult for him to secure the insurance necessary because of elbow surgery he had this past offseason.

“It’s just sad, a sad thing that I’m not able to help my country,” Herrera said Thursday afternoon. “I was really looking forward to it. There are so many things out of my control. I cannot do anything about the insurance. I tried to do everything I could to be there for the team. I fought hard.”

Cardinals Extra - D Goold | Post Dispatch

GOOD

He belongs in Cardinals camp getting to know his pitchers if he's truly going to be given a shot at catching again.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 11:20 am GOOD

He belongs in Cardinals camp getting to know his pitchers if he's truly going to be given a shot at catching again.

My feelings exactly. If you want to catch, you need to be there for ALL of ST.....

I want to catch.
I want to start.
I want to represent my country.
I want to play in WBC.

Sure is a lot of - I want.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 11:20 am GOOD

He belongs in Cardinals camp getting to know his pitchers if he's truly going to be given a shot at catching again.

+1
Really dislike the WBC, more risk than its worth... In the simplest argument...your employer and the team that will make you rich is the priority over some clown show exhibition

Before Lindor's injury, I think he had a similar situation, as many will. I applaud the teams and insurance saying if you get hurt we wont cover you and it will compromise your contract.

Sure that privately the Cardinal brass is happy that Herrera will be in camp the whole time. (they would not say that publicly though) .
Some players feel quite proud to represent their country whether USA , Panama, Puerto Rico , Dominican Republic , etc.
We see that in Winter Olympics .. so get that players would want to do that . It would be an honor to do so. Only a few get selected to represent their country.
It's a blessing in disguise I guess that he will be in Spring Training the entire time. Maybe he can have a chance in a couple years to play for Panama !

bccardsfan wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 11:28 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 11:20 am GOOD

He belongs in Cardinals camp getting to know his pitchers if he's truly going to be given a shot at catching again.

My feelings exactly. If you want to catch, you need to be there for ALL of ST.....

He needs as much time as possible to develop a close relationship w/his pitchers and not going to the WBC is a really good thing.

Until I see the first base stealer thrown out I'm not sold on him behind the plate though, he's got to be able to nail at least 20% or it's back to fulltime DH.

Jobu's Rum wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 12:02 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 11:20 am GOOD

He belongs in Cardinals camp getting to know his pitchers if he's truly going to be given a shot at catching again.

+1
Really dislike the WBC, more risk than its worth... In the simplest argument...your employer and the team that will make you rich is the priority over some clown show exhibition

Before Lindor's injury, I think he had a similar situation, as many will. I applaud the teams and insurance saying if you get hurt we wont cover you and it will compromise your contract.

If the WBC was held immediately after the WS in LA, SD, Florida and Domes, then I'd love it!

But during STing I loathe it too.

If I was an owner I'd put a clause causing a player to not get paid for time missed due to an injury in the WBC. That time missed should also not count as service time. If players want to participate they assume the risk.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 11:29 am I want to catch.
I want to start.
I want to represent my country.
I want to play in WBC.

Sure is a lot of - I want.

And if you were in his situation, which of those would you not want?

okcardfan wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 13:15 pm

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 11:29 am I want to catch.
I want to start.
I want to represent my country.
I want to play in WBC.

Sure is a lot of - I want.

And if you were in his situation, which of those would you not want?

None. I’d want it all. In this case, wanting it all and Whats is best for team might have collided. May not.

Jobu's Rum wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 12:02 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 11:20 am GOOD

He belongs in Cardinals camp getting to know his pitchers if he's truly going to be given a shot at catching again.

+1
Really dislike the WBC, more risk than its worth... In the simplest argument...your employer and the team that will make you rich is the priority over some clown show exhibition

Before Lindor's injury, I think he had a similar situation, as many will. I applaud the teams and insurance saying if you get hurt we wont cover you and it will compromise your contract.

Your employer is your priority, but if you get hurt the employer says screw you.
Why applaud the insurance company?

ScotchMIrish wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 12:29 pm If I was an owner I'd put a clause causing a player to not get paid for time missed due to an injury in the WBC. That time missed should also not count as service time. If players want to participate they assume the risk.

You DO realize the WBC is sponsored by MLB, which, just happens to made up of said owners, don’t you? It’s a money maker for MLB.

ScotchMIrish wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 12:29 pm If I was an owner I'd put a clause causing a player to not get paid for time missed due to an injury in the WBC. That time missed should also not count as service time. If players want to participate they assume the risk.

I think that’s the entire point of the article and his not being able to get insurance.

There will be another article soon where people applaud Paul Skene for representing his country and not being afraid to go out there and playing ball.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 11:29 am I want to catch.
I want to start.
I want to represent my country.
I want to play in WBC.

Sure is a lot of - I want.

And there isn't anything wrong with any of them!