Shohei Ohtani is set to DH for Team Japan in the WBC, but will he pitch?
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will be the chosen striker for the Japan team in World Baseball Classic. However, there has been speculation about a two-way throwing phenomenon in VBC. On Saturday, Ohtani and the club set a record for his pitching status for the highly coveted event.
Reports indicate that the 31-year-old will not throw in WBC, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts claimed it was Ohtani’s decision not to play and instead save his arm for the 2026 MLB season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani will not play in the WBC, adding that it was Ohtani’s decision.
Ohtani will lead Team Japan as they try to win the World Baseball Classic again after winning it in 2023. He was still playing for the Los Angeles Angels the last time he participated in the WBC, and served as the DH and pitcher in that tournament. He famously struck out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout in Japan’s 3-2 win over the USA.
This time, however, Team Japan will not they have Shohei Ohtani in the starting rotation. It’s likely a smart move for the five-time All-Star, as he won’t be putting any stress on his pitching arm before the start of the 2026 campaign. At the very least, Japan will rely on Ohtani’s big bat throughout the WBC.
Ohtani is entering his ninth year in the MLB. He again finished the 2025 regular season with impressive numbers, winning his third straight MVP award (fourth overall). As a hitter, Shohei Ohtani had a .282 batting average and .392 OBP while recording 172 hits, 55 home runs (career high) and 102 RBI. As a pitcher, he finished the year with a 2.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, along with 62 strikeouts.
2026-01-31 22:26:00
