Overview
- At Dodgers Fan Fest, Shohei Ohtani said his decision to pitch for Team Japan would depend on how his body feels during ramp‑up.
- Roughly an hour later, Dave Roberts stated Ohtani will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic, while noting the final call rests with the player.
- The Dodgers plan to deploy Ohtani as a regular starter but not in a conventional five‑man rotation, giving him six to eight days between outings.
- If health benchmarks are met, the club expects at least 20-plus starts from Ohtani this season, with total innings still to be determined.
- Ohtani missed the 2024 pitching season after UCL surgery and logged a strong 2025 return with 14 appearances, a 2.87 ERA, and 62 strikeouts in 47 innings.