Overview
- Ohtani confirmed via Instagram that he will play for Samurai Japan at the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.
- He told Kyodo he is "not sure yet" about taking the mound, indicating his role will be settled closer to the tournament.
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts voiced support for participation but warned that WBC pitching is taxing, and club rules generally cannot block healthy players.
- After returning to the mound in June 2025 post-elbow surgery, Ohtani hit 55 homers and posted a sub-3.00 ERA over 14 starts during an MVP season and title repeat.
- Japan opens Pool C on March 6 at Tokyo Dome against a group that includes Chinese Taipei, Korea, Australia and Czechia, with other stars like Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes committed to the event.