Ohtani Prioritizes Hitting in Upcoming Tournament

Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for Samurai Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced. Ohtani will serve as the designated hitter for his home country.

Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers Manager “Understanding what he did last year, what he had to go through to then how best to prepare himself for ’26 to do both — it just seemed like the right decision.”

The decision allows Ohtani to focus on hitting as he prepares for a full season with the Dodgers, where he is expected to be in the rotation for the entire regular season.

Dodgers Support Ohtani’s Decision

Roberts indicated the Dodgers would have supported Ohtani regardless of his decision. He noted Ohtani’s preparation for both pitching and hitting would be demanding.

Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers Manager “Absolutely,” when asked if the team would have supported him had he decided to as well pitch.

Ohtani was instrumental in Japan’s 2023 World Baseball Classic victory, even closing out the championship game with a strikeout.

Yamamoto’s WBC Preparation

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, also of the Dodgers, is participating in the Classic. He recently pitched in a spring training game, allowing two runs and three hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher “I was looking for some things I needed to recover before returning to Japan and joining the team. I wanted to feel the sensations, the mechanics and those details.”

Yamamoto expressed a desire to pitch again before joining Team Japan.

Ohtani’s Spring Training Status

Ohtani is scheduled to pitch to live hitters on Sunday and is expected to play in a couple of Cactus League games before joining Team Japan. Roberts anticipates Ohtani being a Cy Young Award contender this season.

Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers Manager “Sometimes he takes two shifts and feels good or wants that third shift.”

FAQ

Will Shohei Ohtani pitch in the 2026 season?

Yes, Ohtani is expected to be in the Dodgers’ rotation for the entire regular season.

Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto also playing in the World Baseball Classic?

Yes, Yamamoto is participating in the World Baseball Classic for Japan.

Why did Ohtani decide not to pitch in the WBC?

The decision was made to allow Ohtani to focus on preparing for a full season as both a hitter and pitcher for the Dodgers.