Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ standout two-way player, is expected to refrain from pitching for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) next month. While he remains committed to helping his home country secure its fourth WBC title, Ohtani is approaching this season cautiously by focusing on playing without taking the mound during the tournament.
Concerns Surrounding Ohtani’s Pitching After Recent Surgery
Ohtani is coming off Tommy John surgery and a demanding 2024 season in which he pitched 47 innings across 14 appearances. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman explained that the quick return to high-intensity pitching in the WBC would be too taxing for Ohtani, especially since the team plans to rely on him heavily throughout the regular season and potentially into the postseason this year.
Friedman stated,
“Just coming off the surgery, coming off the year he had, pitching through October, just the quick turnaround at that kind of intensity coming off surgery, and then obviously, we have designs of playing through October this year, and Shohei being a big part of that on the mound. That, coupled with the idea that he wants to pitch for the next eight years, we want him to pitch for the next eight years, just trying to be really mindful of all of that.”
He added,
“And so we sat down, had the conversation with him. He understood it. The competitor in him doesn’t love it, but he understood it.”
Ohtani’s Competitive Spirit and Potential Exceptions
While Ohtani accepts the decision, he admits that his competitive nature makes it difficult to completely rule out the possibility of stepping in briefly if the situation demands. When asked about pitching even a single inning or facing one batter during the WBC, he said through interpreter Will Ireton,
“Hard to say it, but if (Mike) Trout shows up, it’s tempting.”
However, Trout, a longtime teammate and close friend of Ohtani on the Los Angeles Angels, will not be participating for the U.S. team during the tournament. This ensures there won’t be a repeat of the dramatic 2023 WBC final, when Ohtani struck out Trout in a critical moment.
Ohtani’s Workload Management Heading into 2026 Season
Ohtani missed only four games in 2025 and was active in nearly every game in 2024 except for three. As part of his ramp-up this spring, he and the Dodgers have adjusted his two-way role carefully to avoid overexertion. Although he didn’t pitch during the 2024 season as he recovered from surgery, this year Ohtani aims for a more significant pitching role.
Instead of pitching in the WBC, Ohtani plans to prepare through live batting practice and simulated games while away from his Dodgers duties. Reflecting on this limited approach, Ohtani said,
“I’ll do everything in my power to make sure the quality and the volume are in a good place. With the limited opportunities I do have, being in a live situation, I just have to do the best I can in those situations.”
Future Outlook on Ohtani’s Career and Impact on Team Japan
This cautious approach underscores the Dodgers’ and Ohtani’s long-term focus on preserving his health and sustaining his dual-role career. By opting out of pitching duties for Japan at the WBC, Ohtani is prioritizing a full season with the Dodgers and an extended playing career, potentially spanning eight more years. His decision balances the eagerness to compete with the practical concerns of recovery and workload management, reflecting a mature and strategic mindset as he continues to make an impact both in Major League Baseball and international competition.
