Overview
- Ohtani announced via Instagram that he will represent Japan at the March 2026 tournament.
- Japan opens Pool C play at the Tokyo Dome on March 6 against a group that includes Chinese Taipei, Korea, Australia and Czechia.
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the club will support players’ participation but flagged pitching as a concern and could seek usage limits.
- Whether Ohtani will take the mound remains unresolved after returning to pitching in June 2025 following elbow surgery and logging a heavy postseason workload.
- Ohtani enters the WBC after a 2025 season featuring 55 home runs, a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts, a second straight World Series title with the Dodgers and a fourth MLB MVP; the WBC quarters and beyond will be in the U.S. with the final on March 17 in Miami.