Shohei Ohtani Withdraws from Pitching for Japan in WBC

The 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) witnessed an iconic moment when Shohei Ohtani faced Mike Trout, striking him out and leading Japan to its third championship. However, Ohtani will not pitch in the upcoming WBC tournament, a decision confirmed by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during DodgerFest.

Shohei Ohtani’s Decision Not to Pitch in WBC

Roberts mentioned that Ohtani made the choice to focus on preparing for the MLB season instead. Despite expressing intention to participate earlier, Ohtani has decided against pitching. “Understanding what he did last year, it just seemed like the right decision,” Roberts stated.

Clarifications by Team Japan’s Management

When Team Japan’s roster was announced, manager Hirokazu Ibata did not clarify Ohtani’s role as a pitcher, mentioning that a clearer picture would emerge during spring training. Talking to reporters, Ohtani expressed uncertainty about his pitching status, indicating he will be prepared to play as a designated hitter (DH).

• Ohtani’s involvement as a DH allows him to focus on his health and readiness for the MLB season.
• Roberts expects Ohtani will pitch without restrictions this season, although with an adjusted rotation schedule.

Ohtani’s Remarkable 2023 Season and Recovery

In 2023, Shohei Ohtani earned the WBC MVP title with an impressive .435 batting average and a 1.86 ERA. Unfortunately, he faced a setback when a torn elbow ligament required him to undergo a second Tommy John surgery in September 2024, delaying his return to the mound until June.

In his debut season with the Dodgers, Ohtani finished with a 2.87 ERA over 47 innings. He performed spectacularly in the playoffs as well, holding a 4.43 ERA in 20.1 innings. His remarkable performance in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, where he struck out ten and hit three home runs, earned him series MVP honors.

Upcoming Events for Team Japan

Ohtani, alongside other MLB players like Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, is expected to join Team Japan for exhibition games on March 2. Japan will kick off its WBC games against Taiwan on March 6, while Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki has been ruled out of the WBC due to decisions made by the team following his recovery from injury.