The Los Angeles Dodgers could have a strong presence in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with several key players expected to suit up for Team Japan - most notably, Shohei Ohtani. The two-way superstar is set to rejoin Samurai Japan, and if his past international performances are any indication, he’ll once again be a central figure on one of the tournament’s most talented rosters.
Joining him could be Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who’s coming off a career year in Los Angeles and seems like a lock to represent his country. Roki Sasaki, another electric arm in Japan’s pitching pipeline, is unlikely to participate this time around after missing a large chunk of his rookie MLB season due to a shoulder injury.
From the Dodgers’ perspective, there’s a bit of a balancing act at play. After a grueling playoff run that stretched deep into October, the organization would ideally prefer its stars to rest and recover during the offseason. But they also understand the cultural and national significance of the WBC - especially for Japanese players, where national pride and baseball tradition run deep.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently spoke about ongoing discussions with Samurai Japan officials regarding Ohtani and Yamamoto’s involvement. The tone? Collaborative and respectful.
“It was a great conversation,” Friedman said. “It was about just keeping open the lines of communication.
We’re very supportive of Samurai Japan and all that they’re trying to accomplish. And they were very supportive of us.
And it was about just keeping open the lines of communication. And the mutual respect and working together to help all sides.”
That mutual respect will be critical as decisions are made - particularly around Ohtani’s role. The big question: Will he pitch?
Ohtani didn’t take the mound at all in 2024 as he recovered from right elbow surgery. But he made his return in June of this past season, and the Dodgers handled his ramp-up with precision.
By the time the postseason rolled around, Ohtani was fully stretched out - and it showed. He logged 67.1 innings between the regular season and playoffs, a carefully managed workload that paid off down the stretch.
Given that recent return to two-way action, the Dodgers are understandably cautious about the idea of him pitching again so soon in a high-stakes international tournament. Manager Dave Roberts recently addressed the situation, saying the team is hopeful Ohtani will limit his WBC duties to hitting only.
“I’m hoping he doesn’t but I don’t know,” Roberts said when asked if Ohtani would pitch in the 2026 WBC. “Shohei is very in tune with his body, but I would say probably the thought is he’s just going to hit.
But I don’t know. I haven’t talked to Sho.”
For Yamamoto, there’s less ambiguity. The right-hander just wrapped up a monster year, setting career highs in innings pitched (173.2) and starts (30).
He was a force in the postseason, delivering clutch performances in back-to-back elimination games on the road to help the Dodgers secure a World Series title. His durability and recent form suggest he’s well-positioned to take on a significant role for Samurai Japan - assuming he’s healthy and ready to go.
Ultimately, the Dodgers are trying to strike a delicate balance: honoring the WBC’s importance while protecting the long-term health of their franchise cornerstones. It’s a conversation that will continue in the months ahead, with input from players, national team officials, and the Dodgers’ front office.
But one thing’s clear - if Ohtani and Yamamoto do suit up for Samurai Japan, the WBC just got a whole lot more interesting.