Jose Altuve won't play for Venezuela at the 2026 World Baseball Classic at the request of the Houston Astros, a source told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
Altuve had expressed interest in joining Venezuela's roster, which is being managed by Astros bench coach Omar López, but Houston prefers that the 35-year-old attend spring training to prepare for the upcoming MLB season, McTaggart adds.
"I signed the paper that I'm willing to go play, like I did the last two WBCs," Altuve told reporters Saturday, including Michael Shapiro of the Houston Chronicle. "Always an honor to represent my country. I played in the last one and the one before, and I'm trying to do it in this one.