BASEBALL: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won't pitch for Japan in WBC

Shohei Ohtani is heading into the 2026 season with a “handle-with-care” tag, as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star commits most of his talents to helping Japan pursue a fourth World Baseball Classic title.

However, Ohtani’s return to full-time two-way play this season will not include pitching next month for his home country.

“Just coming off the surgery, coming off the year he had, pitching through October, just the quick turnaround at that kind of intensity coming off surgery,” Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said. “And then obviously, we have designs of playing through October this year, and Shohei being a big part of that on the mound. That, coupled with the idea that he wants to pitch for the next eight years — we want him to pitch for the next eight years — just trying to be really mindful of all of that.

“And so we sat down, had the conversation with him. He understood it. The competitor in him doesn’t love it, but he understood it.”

Ohtani admitted he can’t rule out being tempted to pitch in certain situations, especially if a familiar face like former Angels teammate Mike Trout were involved.

“Hard to say it,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton, “but if (Mike) Trout shows up, it’s tempting.”

Trout, however, will not be in uniform for the U.S. team in March, meaning fans won’t see a repeat of the 2023 showdown when Ohtani struck him out in a high-pressure final-out moment.

Ohtani, who missed only four games in 2025 and played nearly every game in 2024, has worked with the Dodgers to manage his dual-role workload this spring. He has appeared in 33 playoff games over two seasons with the team, did not pitch in 2024 following Tommy John surgery, but threw 47 innings across 14 appearances last season.

To prepare for a larger pitching role in 2026, Ohtani will focus on live batting practice sessions and simulated games while away from the Dodgers during the WBC.

“I’ll do everything in my power to make sure the quality and the volume are in a good place,” Ohtani said. “With the limited opportunities I do have in live situations, I just have to do the best I can.”

—Field Level Media/Reuters