Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for Japan in March's World Baseball Classic, according to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
However, when speaking to reporters atSaturday's DodgerFestshortly before Roberts, Ohtani didn't rule out the possibility. He said the decision on whether to pitch would depend on "how my body feels." But he intended to be ready to pitch for the Dodgers when the 2026 season begins and said he'd already thrown three or four bullpen sessions during the offseason.
Shohei Ohtani said he will be ready to pitch from the outset during the regular season. As far as the WBC is concerned, said it's up to "how my body feels" and that no matter what he will be fully ready to DH for Japan.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya)January 31, 2026
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Roughly an hour later, Roberts announcedOhtani would not pitchin the WBC, saying that it was the two-way star's decision.
"He's not going to pitch in the WBC, but he will be ramping up his arm to get ready for the season," Roberts said,via the California Post's Dylan Hernandez.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in the WBC, adding that it was Ohtani's decision.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez)January 31, 2026
Something apparently changed with the message of Ohtani's intentions in the span of an hour. Yet it may have literally been a matter of translation. It was Ohtani's translator, Will Ireton, who conveyed to reporters the superstar wasn't sure about pitching in the WBC, as pointed out bythe California Post's Michael Duarte.
However, Roberts said the Dodgers "absolutely" would have allowed Ohtani to pitch in the WBC.
Ohtani's pitching workload will certainly be a matter of concern for the Dodgers, especially early in the season when starters are building up stamina and stretching out their capacity to throw multiple innings. Several Dodgers starterswill be monitored closelydue to their injury histories and postseason workload.
Due to playing in the everyday lineup as the designated hitter, Ohtani will likely take six to seven days between starts, according to Roberts. Last season, Ohtani wonhis third consecutive MVP award, his second straight in the National League, batting .282/.392/.622 with 55 home runs and 102 RBI.
In 2025, Ohtani didn't make his pitching debut for the Dodgers until June 16. But he was still working his way back to being capable of facing major-league hitters after not pitching during the 2024 MLB season whilerecovering from internal brace surgeryon his right elbow.
Even then, Ohtani threw one inning in each of his first two appearances last season. He slowly increased his workload to two innings, then three and four. Ohtani didn't reach five innings in a start until his 11th start. During the postseason, he made three six-inning starts.
Altogether, Ohtani finished the 2025 campaign with 14 regular-season starts, compiling a 2.87 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 41 innings. In four postseason appearances, he pitched 20 1/3 innings with 28 strikeouts, allowing 10 runs and 16 hits.
MUST SEE!Relive Shohei Ohtani vs Mike Trout in its entiretypic.twitter.com/8ln13dH3fC
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX)March 22, 2023
Ohtani not pitching in the WBC has to be considered a disappointment since he provided one of the tournament's most memorable moments in 2023. Facing Team USA's Mike Trout, Ohtani struck out his then-Los Angeles Angels teammate to clinch the championship for Team Japan. Overall, he went 2-0 in three appearances with a 1.86 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings.
However, Ohtani's impactful bat will still be a part of Japan's lineup for the WBC. He batted .435/.608/.739 with 4 doubles, 1 home run and 8 RBI in 23 at-bats in 2023.
