The 2026 World Baseball Classic is quietly coming up closer than people may realize.
The tournament is being held from March 5-17 across Japan, Puerto Rico, and the United States. Speaking of Japan, the reigning champs will look to further cement their standing as an elite baseball entity from a global standpoint.
The Dodgers surely have big interest in how Japan fares this offseason given that Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki have all represented their country in year’s past.
More news: Dodgers Targeting Closer This Offseason
At the same time, is there a world where the three bypass pitching for Japan given the extensive World Series run this past fall?
Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation recently touched on the topic — citing a Japanese article stating that there were concerns from the Dodgers side of things as it pertains to their three pitchers participating in this tournament.
Also speaking with Japanese reporters, manager Dave Roberts let it be known that while the ballclub and franchise supports their players unconditionally, he’d prefer if the trio did not pitch for Team Japan.
The start of the 2026 MLB regular season begins about a week after the final of the WBC is projected to take place. Of course, there’s a case to be made for all three skipping out and resting in anticipation of the charge for a three-peat.
Yamamoto threw the most innings of the bunch. That included some herculean efforts in the postseason, most notably making three appearances in the World Series. He’s looked at as the ace of the staff, and the Dodgers surely would not want him adding mileage to his talented arm.
Sasaki had been injured for a large chunk of last year. While his emergence in the postseason was terrific, he still is working through some things both physically and mechanically. A clean offseason where he can prepare to be a starter once again could be the move for him.
Then, there’s Ohtani — the face of the franchise and the sport as a whole. He’s already made it known that he wants to pitch a full load this upcoming year. Given what he means to the Dodgers as well as his own injury history, pitching in the WBC likely wouldn’t be the most prudent thing to do.
More news: Dodgers Sign Pitcher From NL West Rival in Free Agency
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Have you downloaded the new Dodgers Nation app yet? Click here for Apple Users and here for Android Users to be a part of the redesigned app to give fans everything they need, all in one place. Don’t miss out on live GameCast with play-by-play, news and analysis, Dodgers Nation podcasts and videos, all the stats you want and more!
4 Responses
Let Otani DH, and thats it.
As for the Tarik Skubal talk, he’s had 4 ordinary years with 2 great years. Next will be his age 29 season. His career is close to his downhill slope to go throwing Sheehan and a bunch of good players to get him, plus 400 million for the downside of his career. Look at Kershaw’s career through age 28. CY 1,1 2,2 3,5. Sheehan is 25 and has better results than Skubal at the same age.
That is an interesting point about Skubal, John! He is almost 30 years old, but the Dodgers did acquire Snell later in his career and he gave LA one of the best postseason performances at 32.
Hardly,,,
meh, I don’t see where we need Ohtani to sit out the WBC. not like he’s gonna be sitting on his butt either way, he won’t come out of conditioning. up to him and the Dodgers, not to me — but I don’t see the need to ask that of him.