LOS ANGELES. – The stellar Japanese player Shohei Ohtani will participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but he will not do so as a pitcher, as confirmed this Saturday by the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dave Roberts.
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The decision is part of the player’s recovery plan, who underwent a second surgery on his right elbow in 2023 and seeks to arrive in optimal condition at the start of the Major League regular season. Ohtani returned to the mound last June and showed a solid performance, recording an ERA of 2.87 in 47 innings, with 62 strikeouts and only nine walks. In addition, he debuted as a pitcher in the postseason, where he went 2-1, with an ERA of 4.43 and 28 strikeouts in four starts. Although he won’t be on the mound during the Classic, Ohtani is expected to have an impact exclusively as a hitter, a role in which he is confident he will contribute decisively to the Japanese team in defending their title. The player left an indelible mark on the 2023 edition, when he secured the championship for Japan by striking out Mike Trout in the last at-bat of the final game. According to the technical body, Ohtani is confident he will be fully able to pitch once the MLB regular season begins, prioritizing his long-term health.
