Overview
- Shohei Ohtani has confirmed he will join Samurai Japan, though his usage as a two-way player or as a hitter only is still undecided.
- Manager Hirokazu Ibata unveiled an initial eight-man group on December 26 that includes Ohtani, with the remaining roster spots nearing a final decision.
- A national-team camp is scheduled for February to accelerate preparations for the sixth World Baseball Classic beginning in March 2026.
- Ibata argues that Japanese players' shared high-school experience with single-elimination play offers an advantage in one-game international rounds.
- He is prioritizing simple fundamentals, such as running hard and never giving up, as Japan pursues a repeat after winning three of the past five WBCs.