Tue Feb 03 23:50:00 UTC 2026: # Ohtani Forgoes WBC Pitching Duties to Prioritize Dodgers’ Season

The Story

Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for Samurai Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC), according to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. This decision, made by Ohtani himself, aims to prioritize his health and preparation for the 2026 MLB season where he is expected to return as a full-time two-way player. He will, however, still participate in the tournament as a designated hitter. This decision follows a methodical return to pitching late in the 2025 season after a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament.

Roberts expressed support for Ohtani’s decision, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the 2026 season. Teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to pitch in the WBC, while Roki Sasaki will not, reportedly at the Dodgers’ request due to his performance in his rookie season. The Dodgers plan to utilize a six-man rotation in 2026 to manage Ohtani’s workload and provide him with extra rest days.

Key Points

  • Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for Samurai Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
  • He will still participate as a designated hitter.
  • Ohtani made two starts for Japan in the 2023 WBC and closed out the championship game.
  • An ulnar collateral ligament tear sidelined him from pitching in 2024.
  • He returned to pitching late in the 2025 season, making four playoff starts, including Game 7 of the World Series.
  • The Dodgers will use a six-man rotation in 2026 to manage Ohtani’s workload.
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch in the WBC, while Roki Sasaki will not.

Key Takeaways

  • Ohtani is prioritizing his long-term health and performance in MLB over participating in the WBC as a pitcher.
  • The Dodgers organization is supportive of Ohtani’s decision, understanding the importance of his full recovery and preparation for the 2026 season.
  • The Dodgers are implementing strategies (six-man rotation, extra rest days) to carefully manage Ohtani’s workload in 2026.
  • The Dodgers request of Sasaki not to pitch signals the organizations desire to control injury risk for all of their assets.

Impact Analysis

  • Shohei Ohtani’s decision could influence other MLB players considering participating in future WBC tournaments, potentially leading to more focus on MLB season preparation.
  • The Dodgers’ management of Ohtani’s return as a two-way player will be closely watched by other teams, as it could establish best practices for handling dual-role players.
  • The Samurai Japan team could be potentially weakened by the loss of Ohtani and Sasaki, affecting their competitiveness in the 2026 WBC.

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