"Shohei Ohtani is among the Los Angeles Dodgers players who will participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The four-time MVP is again playing for Team Japan as the country looks to repeat as champions in the international competition. Ohtani memorably led the Japanese baseball team to a gold medal in the 2023 WBC. He closed out the championship game by striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout."
"Whether Ohtani pitches or not in the upcoming WBC remains to be seen, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts relayed the organization is hopeful he only is a designated hitter for Samurai Japan. "I'm hoping he doesn't but I don't know," Roberts answered when asked if Ohtani will pitch in the 2026 WBC. "Shohei is very in tune with his body, but I would say probably the thought is he's just going to hit. But I don't know. I haven't talked to Sho.""
"The Dodgers took a methodical approach to building up Ohtani and fully stretched him out by the playoffs. He wound up logging 67.1 innings between the regular season and postseason. Given his importance to the Dodgers, Ohtani may be asked to not pitch in the 2026 WBC. However, Roberts previously said the team would support him if he insists on being a two-way player for Team Japan."
Shohei Ohtani will play for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic as the country aims to repeat as champions. He led Japan to the 2023 WBC gold medal and closed the championship game by striking out Mike Trout. The Dodgers hope he serves as a designated hitter for the tournament, though his pitching availability remains uncertain. Ohtani returned to pitching in June after missing 2024 while recovering from right elbow surgery and totaled 67.1 innings between the regular season and postseason. The Dodgers may ask him not to pitch given his importance but would support him if he insists on being a two-way player. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is reported to join Ohtani on the roster while Roki Sasaki will skip the event.
Read at Dodger Blue
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