US EditionOhtani Won't Pitch in World Baseball Classic, Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Says
Shohei Ohtani will serve only as a designated hitter for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic to manage his workload after elbow surgery, Dodgers say.
- Shohei Ohtani, a two-way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, will play for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- After returning to pitching in 2025, Ohtani had an ERA of 2.87 with 62 strikeouts in 14 regular season appearances and an ERA of 4.43 with 28 strikeouts in 4 postseason appearances.
- Ohtani said he needs to see how his body feels before deciding if he will pitch in the World Baseball Classic.
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88 Articles
Ohtani full-go for 2-way play on Opening Day, but won’t pitch in WBC
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani echoed his sentiment that he will be ready to be a full two-way player come Opening Day. But the four-time MVP will not be used as a pitcher by team Japan during next month’s World Baseball Classic, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday, as “he will be ramping up his arm to get ready for this season.”
Dodgers star will participate in the World Baseball Classic as a batter
Shohei Ohtani Makes Major World Baseball Classic Announcement
Shohei Ohtani is the biggest star in baseball, and one of his biggest and most memorable moments came during the World Baseball Classic. In an all-time, instantly legendary moment, Ohtani was trying to close out the 2023 tournament for Team Japan by facing his then-Angels teammate, future Hall of Famer Mike Trout. The score was 3-2, top of the ninth inning, final out of the game, two of the best players to ever play baseball, Ohtani and Trout. A…
San Bernardino Sun
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani will not be pitching in WBC this time
Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the media during the annual DodgerFest at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 31, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG) Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, with the help of interpreter Will Ireton, left, speaks to the media during the annual DodgerFest on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG) S…
Associated Press News
Ohtani won't pitch in World Baseball Classic, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says
Shohei Ohtani won't pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in March. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani has decided to focus solely on being the designated hitter for his country.
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