Shohei Ohtani Won’t Pitch in 2026 World Baseball Classic

Ohtani’s WBC Revelation: Pushing Boundaries, Prioritizing Health

This post digs into Shohei Ohtani’s recent call about the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Let’s talk about why he’s not pitching, how he’s thinking about his health and career, and what this all might mean for the Dodgers and his future as a two-way superstar.

Ohtani’s Prudent WBC Choice: Acknowledging Injury History

The baseball world started buzzing after DodgerFest. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani won’t pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Fans might feel a bit let down, but honestly, you can’t blame them for playing it safe. The Dodgers have invested a ton in Ohtani, and both he and Roberts seem laser-focused on keeping him healthy for the long haul.

Roberts made it clear—this was Ohtani’s call. He’s taking charge of his own career, and you have to respect that. After a tough 2024, it makes sense to put his well-being first.

Navigating the Aftermath of Surgery

Given his recent medical history, especially that second Tommy John surgery in September 2024, Ohtani’s caution feels totally justified. He didn’t pitch for the Dodgers again until June last year, which says a lot about how grueling the recovery was.

The Dodgers want to treat Ohtani like a “normal starter” once the MLB season starts. That phrase carries weight. They’re planning to give him extra rest between outings, hoping to keep him sharp and healthy.

Ohtani’s Impressive 2025 Performance and Future Role

Even with those injury setbacks, Ohtani’s 2025 season with the Dodgers was something else. He kept dominating, especially on the mound.

From his regular season stats to that wild postseason outing, Ohtani showed he’s nowhere near finished.

Statistical Snapshot: A Glimpse of Dominance

In 2025, Ohtani put up a strong 2.87 ERA in 47 regular-season innings for the Dodgers. His postseason ERA bumped up to 4.43 over 20 1/3 innings, but there was one game that stood out.

Roberts called Ohtani’s Game 4 NLCS performance “probably the greatest postseason performance of all time.” Sure, it sounds like a bit of a stretch, but in the heat of the moment, who wouldn’t get caught up in it? Ohtani’s impact is just that big.

WBC Impact and Broader Implications

Ohtani’s choice will shake things up for Team Japan. Still, having him as a designated hitter is a huge plus.

The WBC always brings out the best in international baseball. Ohtani was the heart of Japan’s 2023 win, and his bat will be just as important this time. Just having him in the lineup fires up his teammates and gets fans around the world excited.

A Strategic Move for Team Japan and MLB Stars

Ohtani was the MVP of the 2023 WBC, batting an astounding .435 and posting a 1.86 ERA. But in 2023, he also tore his elbow ligament, which led to his latest surgery. That sobering moment probably influenced his decision now, don’t you think?

Ohtani won’t pitch, but he’ll still join an impressive Team Japan roster, including Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, for exhibition games starting March 2. Their pool play opens on March 6 against Taiwan.

The Dodgers also decided to keep right-hander Roki Sasaki out of the WBC because of a shoulder injury. It really shows how much the organization values player health over international play when someone’s recovering.

For 2026, Roberts made it clear—he won’t use Ohtani as a short-inning reliever. The plan is for Ohtani to start, and the team wants to make sure he gets extra rest days. It’s a careful, maybe even cautious, approach to preserving such a rare talent.

 
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