Ohtani Will Not Pitch in World Baseball Classic

During Dodgerfest on Saturday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Shohei Ohtani will not be participating as a two-way player for Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Roberts mentioned, “He doesn’t plan on throwing in the WBC, but he’s going to strengthen his arm for the season.” Earlier that day, Ohtani had indicated that he was still unsure about his pitching status for the WBC, noting that he has already participated in a few bullpen sessions this offseason.

However, Roberts clarified that the decision was made about a month ago, focusing Ohtani solely on his role as a designated hitter for the WBC. This choice, according to Roberts, was “absolutely” made by Ohtani himself.

When asked if the Dodgers would permit Ohtani to pitch in the WBC if he wanted to, Roberts replied, “Of course.” Ohtani had successfully competed as a two-way player in the previous WBC, where Japan came out on top. He notably claimed the final out in the championship game, striking out Mike Trout.

In the following regular season, Ohtani played as a two-way player for the Angels, but he faced challenges, ultimately suffering a season-ending elbow injury in August. Subsequently, he underwent a second Tommy John surgery.

In his first season with the Dodgers in 2024, Ohtani did not pitch. However, he made a comeback in 2025, participating in 14 regular season games and achieving a 3.14 ERA, along with appearances in four postseason contests.

Regarding Ohtani’s choice not to pitch in the WBC, Roberts expressed that he wasn’t surprised. He noted understanding the hard work Ohtani went through last year and emphasized the importance of preparing effectively for 2026, which would allow him to contribute in both hitting and pitching roles.

Roberts also mentioned that while Ohtani would receive extra rest between regular-season starts, he would otherwise follow the usual routine of a starting pitcher.