Overview
- Samurai Japan announced 29 of 30 roster spots, highlighted by a record eight active MLB players, with one place still to be filled.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto, coming off a heavy postseason and a World Series MVP run, is confirmed on the staff and described by Ibata as Japan’s top pitcher.
- Shohei Ohtani is set to serve as designated hitter, with his potential pitching assignment remaining undecided until after spring work.
- Lars Nootbaar was omitted following offseason heel surgeries, and Roki Sasaki was not selected despite being part of the 2023 championship team.
- Japan begins a domestic camp in Miyazaki on Feb. 14, expects MLB-based players for exhibitions starting March 2, and opens WBC play March 6 against Chinese Taipei at the Tokyo Dome.