Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, according to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Roberts confirmed that this decision was made by Ohtani himself, though he will still participate as a designated hitter for Japan.
Roberts emphasized that the Dodgers would have supported Ohtani if he had chosen to pitch in the international tournament. Ohtani’s pitching absence aligns with the need to manage his workload carefully after recent health challenges.
In the previous 2023 WBC, Ohtani started two games for Japan and closed the championship final as a reliever. However, he suffered a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament late that season, which sidelined him from pitching for the entire 2024 campaign. During that year, Ohtani focused exclusively on hitting.
Returning to pitching gradually in late 2025, Ohtani made a notable impact by completing four starts in the playoffs. His last outing included recording the first seven outs in the World Series Game 7, despite having only three days of rest. Roberts said he was unsurprised by Ohtani’s decision not to pitch in the WBC given this recent workload.
Roberts explained that considering Ohtani’s recovery and preparation path, sitting out pitching at the WBC was the prudent choice. He expressed confidence in the decision during the Dodgers’ annual fan event. Meanwhile, Ohtani himself remained noncommittal about pitching in the tournament earlier, citing the need to assess his body’s condition and progression.
The 2023 WBC featured a strong Japanese pitching staff, including Yu Darvish, Shota Imanaga, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki. Of that group, only Yamamoto, who pitched extensively in 2025 including innings in the World Series Game 7 without rest, will return for this year’s event. Sasaki revealed that the Dodgers advised him against pitching at the WBC, likely due to his uneven rookie season.
Looking ahead to the 2026 MLB season, Ohtani is expected to return as a full-time two-way player for the first time in three years. Roberts announced there will be no strict innings limit on Ohtani this year. The Dodgers plan to utilize a hybrid six-man rotation and provide extra rest days between his starts to manage his workload effectively.
Ohtani reflected on his offseason, noting it was mostly “business as usual” without any injuries. This stability is a positive sign as he prepares for his first full campaign balancing pitching and hitting duties since his UCL injury.
Key points regarding Ohtani’s 2026 season plan:
1. No strict innings limit imposed by the Dodgers
2. Full transition to a stretched-out starting pitcher role by regular season start
3. Hybrid six-man rotation to allow more recovery time
4. Continued role as a designated hitter when not pitching
Ohtani’s careful management this offseason and decision to skip pitching at the WBC demonstrate a strategic approach to preserving his health and maximizing performance. The Dodgers and Japanese national team will monitor his condition closely as international and MLB schedules intersect in the coming months.
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