LOS ANGELES Feb 02 (Kyodo/APP): Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for defending champion Japan at the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Saturday.
Ohtani will focus on batting at the March 5-17 tournament while aiming to be ready to pitch from the start of the Major League Baseball season.
“I’ve been thinking about the best way to balance pitching and batting this season,” Ohtani told reporters at a fan event at Dodger Stadium. “I think it’s the right decision.”
Ohtani was named MVP of the previous WBC in 2023 after starring for Samurai Japan in a two-way role.
In a memorable climax to the tournament, he came out of the bullpen as Japan’s closing pitcher in the championship game against the United States and struck out then Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to clinch the title.
Following his second major elbow surgery in September 2023, Ohtani returned to the mound last June and gradually built his pitching workload back up while also performing his duties as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
The Dodgers’ postseason run to their second straight World Series championship, combined with the WBC, left Ohtani with a significantly shortened offseason to prepare for the 2026 MLB campaign.
But the 31-year-old indicated he was on target to fully undertake two-way duties for Los Angeles from the start of the season.
“I’m in good health so far,” Ohtani said. “Because of the WBC, I think I’ll be able to adjust a little faster.”
Roberts said the decision on whether to pitch or not at the WBC had rested with Ohtani, but he had expected the four-time major league MVP to prioritize his health and performance.
“I wasn’t surprised. I can’t even say I was relieved,” Roberts said. “It just seemed like the right decision.”