Shohei Ohtani said on Saturday that he remained uncertain whether he would be a two-way player for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was more definitive: He won’t be.
“He’s not going to pitch in the WBC,” Roberts said.
Shohei Ohtani of Team Japan reacts after the final out in the top of the 9th inning to defeat Team USA 3-2 during World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images
Focusing on hitting in the tournament was “absolutely” Ohtani’s call, according to the manager, who revealed the decision was made about a month ago.
If Ohtani had wanted to pitch in the WBC, would the Dodgers have given him their blessing?
“Absolutely,” Roberts said.
Playing in the 2023 WBC as a two-way player, Ohtani made two pitching starts and was Japan’s closer in its victory over the United States in the championship game. Ohtani registered the final out of the game by striking out Mike Trout in what became the signature moment of his career.
What might be welcome development for the other countries in the tournament could be bad news for other major league teams.
If the legacy-conscious Ohtani is willing to sacrifice potential glory on the international stage, what does that say about what he has in mind for the regular season?
He must have something big in mind – like a season in which he wins his fifth MVP award and becomes the first Japanese pitcher to ever win a Cy Young?
On stage at DodgerFest alongside right-hander Roki Sasaki, Ohtani shared his goals with the fans in attendance.
“It would be best if I can mix it up,” Ohtani said in Japanese to the Dodger Stadium crowd. “Stealing bases, hitting home runs, getting strikeouts – I think doing it all would be great.”
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays during first inning Game 7 World Series playoff MLB baseball action in Toronto on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) AP
Relayed Ohtani’s words, Roberts became visibly animated. Roberts recently told the California Post that he expected Ohtani to compete for the National League Cy Young Award with teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Roberts’ prediction was made in reaction to Ohtani’s interview with NHK that aired in Japan last month. In the interview in question, Ohtani acknowledged he was disappointed by how he was charged with three runs in only 2 ⅓ innings in his start against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series last year.
“There’s always something that Shohei needs to fuel him,” Roberts said.
Roberts never concealed his preference that Ohtani not pitch in the WBC, and he said he expected Ohtani to ultimately reach the decision he did.
“I wasn’t surprised, so I can’t even say I was relieved,” Roberts said. “Understanding what he did last year, what he had to go through to then how best to prepare himself for ‘26 to do both (pitch and hit), it just seemed like the right decision.”
In the season that followed the last WBC, Ohtani was a two-way player for the Angels and damaged the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The injury forced him to undergo his second Tommy John operation.
Still recovering from surgery, Ohtani couldn’t pitch in 2024, his first year with the Dodgers. He made his mound return in June of last season. He went on to pitch in 14 regular-season games, posting a 3.14 earned-run average. He pitched in four postseason games, including a win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series in which he struck out 10 batters over six scoreless innings and whacked three homers as a hitter.
With Ohtani only hitting in the WBC this year, the Dodgers won’t have to take any extreme measures to protect his arm early in the season, which means he should be able to make enough starts to merit consideration for the Cy Young Award. While Ohtani might receive extended breaks between some pitching appearances, Roberts said he would otherwise be “used as a normal pitcher.”
“It’s not going to be a two-inning, three-inning governor” per start, Roberts said.
Roberts said Ohtani would be “ramping up” his arm in spring training to prepare for the regular season, and Ohtani said he has already thrown “three or four” bullpen sessions. Addressing reporters before Roberts did, Ohtani made it sound as if his pitching status for the WBC was still undetermined.
“I think it will come down to the end, depending on how I’m adjusting, depending on the condition of my body,” Ohtani said in Japanese.
There’s no reason to question Roberts. Unless something was lost in translation, Ohtani isn’t pitching in the WBC. Assuming that’s the case, what that means doesn’t require any translation: Ohtani is preparing for another history-making season with the Dodgers.
