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By Matt Audilet
Contributing Sports Writer
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Shohei Ohtani will suit up for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, looking to help his home country defend its 2023 title.
Ohtani closed out the 2023 championship game on the mound for Japan, striking out his former Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to secure a 3-2 victory over Team USA. He was awarded the tournament MVP trophy, batting .435 in addition to his excellent performance as a pitcher.
But as Ohtani heads into this year's event, he's scheduled to participate only as a designated hitter for the Japanese squad.
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The decision to prevent Ohtani from participating as a two-way player came after in-depth discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
"Just coming off the surgery, coming off the year he had, pitching through October, just the quick turnaround at that kind of intensity coming off surgery," president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said earlier in spring, via MLB.com.
"And then obviously, we have designs of playing through October this year, and Shohei being a big part of that on the mound. That, coupled with the idea that he wants to pitch for the next eight years, we want him to pitch for the next eight years, just trying to be really mindful of all of that.
"And so we sat down, had the conversation with him. He understood it. The competitor in him doesn't love it, but he understood it."
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The Dodgers are firm in the stance that their superstar player will not pitch in the WBC, but Ohtani left the door open with a recent statement.
Ohtani was asked if he could stop himself from stepping onto the mound if Team Japan finds itself in a ninth-inning scenario against Team USA in a championship rematch.
"Hard to say it," Ohtani said with a smile, through his translator Will Ireton, "but if [Mike] Trout shows up, it's tempting."
Trout will not participate in the 2026 WBC, but this response from Ohtani clearly expressed his desire to pitch in big moments for Team Japan.
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Ohtani plans to throw live batting practice or simulated games during his time with Team Japan at the WBC. He's hoping to be game-ready as a two-way player when Opening Day rolls around on Mar. 25.
"I’ll do everything in my power to make sure the quality and the volume are in a good place," Ohtani said. "With the limited opportunities I do have, being in a live situation, I just have to do the best I can in those situations."
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