Shohei Ohtani is set to represent Japan once again in next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC), though it remains uncertain if he will pitch during the tournament. On Monday, Ohtani shared on Instagram his intention to compete in the WBC for the second time. In the 2023 WBC, he was named MVP after hitting .435 and posting a 1.86 ERA as a pitcher, helping Japan secure the championship, and finishing with a memorable strikeout of Mike Trout in the final game.
Ohtani expressed his excitement about playing for Japan again, but the question remains whether he will take the mound, especially since the tournament is in March, only five months after the MLB postseason where the aim for a consecutive World Series title. No decisions have been made yet regarding his pitching role. Ohtani spent the first half of the 2025 season as a designated hitter recovering from Tommy John surgery, but resumed pitching later in the year, starting 14 games for the and pitching 20⅓ innings in four playoff games, including a pivotal outing in Game 7 of the World Series.
Pitchers often reconsider WBC participation due to the physical demands early in the season, but for Japanese baseball, the WBC holds immense importance—arguably more than the World Series. As the face of the Samurai Japan team, Ohtani aims to help Japan win its fourth WBC title. Fresh off a career-best 55 home runs and his fourth MLB MVP, Ohtani is expected to contribute offensively, though pitching decisions between him and the have yet to be finalized.
Other ’ Japanese pitchers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Aki Sasaki, also face WBC participation considerations. Yamamoto had a career-high 30 starts in 2025 and pitched crucial games in the playoffs, while Sasaki, recovering from a shoulder injury, became the team’s closer in the playoffs and plans to start next season. manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the physical toll pitching takes but also recognizes the WBC’s significance to these players and Japan.
The might restrict Sasaki’s WBC involvement due to his recent injury, and while they cannot prevent Yamamoto from playing, they might advocate for careful usage given his intense recent performances. As of now, Ohtani’s participation is confirmed, but whether he or his teammates will pitch remains undecided and will unfold as the offseason continues.
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Fan Take: Shohei Ohtani’s participation in the WBC is exciting for baseball fans worldwide, as it showcases one of the sport’s most electrifying talents on an international stage. His involvement, along with fellow ‘ stars, could elevate the tournament’s prestige and inspire a new generation of players and fans globally.
