Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani reveals he could pitch for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Ohtani’s availability on the mound depends on how he feels as he begins to ramp up in the coming weeks.
The three-time Most Valuable player spoke to reporters at DodgerFest about his plans for the tournament in March.
“In terms of the World Baseball Classic, I just have to see how my body feels and see what happens,” Ohtani said about his two-way status.
Regardless, he is expected to be fully prepared to DH for Samurai Japan.
Dave Roberts Later Reveals Shohei Ohtani won’t Pitch in World Baseball Classic
An hour after Ohtani said he was still uncertain, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani will not pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
“Well, he’s not gonna pitch in the WBC, but he will be ramping up his arm to get ready for this season and I think for me is I don’t know how many innings he threw last year, but obviously with the full offseason going north of what he did last year,” Roberts said.
“I wasn’t surprised, so I can’t even say I was relieved. I think that he wants to, 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, so I wasn’t surprised and feel really good about it.”
Shohei Ohtani to Have First Full Two-Way Season With Dodgers in 2026
The Dodgers two-way star is set to have a full season on the mound and at the plate, which would mark the first time Ohtani has done so with the Dodgers.
In 2024, Ohtani was the Dodgers’ exclusive designated hitter as he recovered from surgery that repaired a torn UCL. He more than delivered in his inaugural season with the Dodgers as he had one of the most dominant offensive seasons ever.
He set career-highs in home runs, hits, runs scored, runs batted in, doubles, and stolen bases, and invented the 50 home run, 50 stolen base club, ending the 2024 campaign with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.
Ohtani capped off the season with a unanimous National League MVP award.
In 2025, Ohtani made his Dodgers pitcher debut in June against the San Diego Padres. He tossed just one inning against the top of the Padres order as he began his ramp up for the playoffs.
Ohtani averaged .282 with 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.014 last season. Meanwhile, the right-hander sported a 2.87 ERA with 62 strikeouts across 47 innings.
Ohtani once again capped off the season with a unanimous National League MVP award. The Dodgers gave Ohtani a landmark $700 million deal ahead of the 2024 season, and it’s safe to say the contract was worth every penny.
Since joining the Dodgers, Ohtani has won two World Series rings and back-to-back MVPs.
Could a Cy Young be next for Ohtani in 2026?
