Shohei Ohtani Won't Pitch at 2026 World Baseball Classic, Dodgers' Dave Roberts Explains Decision

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani won't pitch for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Saturday that Ohtani made the decision not to take the mound in the WBC and operate as a designated hitter instead, per ESPN's Alden González.

Ohtani still expects to be ready to pitch for Los Angeles to open the 2026 MLB regular season, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Team Japan enters the WBC as the reigning champions, as they captured the 2023 title led by a stellar performance from Ohtani.

He posted a 2-0 record in three games, including two starts. Ohtani compiled a 1.86 ERA while limiting opposing hitters to a .152 batting average, racking up 11 strikeouts compared to two walks in 9.2 innings pitched.

He also remained sharp at the plate, amassing four doubles and eight RBI in seven games while slashing .435/.606/.739.

Still, it's understandable for Ohtani to take a cautious approach with his arm as the 2026 MLB season draws closer.

He underwent elbow surgery in Sept. 2023, which kept him off the mound for his entire 2024 campaign. Ohtani finally returned to pitching in June 2025, amassing 67.1 innings of work across 18 combined games in the regular season and playoffs.

The four-time MVP will still be a key piece of Team Japan's lineup, as he's coming off a 2025 season with the Dodgers in which he hit .282 with 55 home runs, 25 doubles, nine triples and 102 RBI to go along with a 1.014 OPS.

Even without Ohtani, Team Japan boasts a formidable pitching staff that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Yusei Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Sugano and Yuki Matsui.