Nov. 25 (UPI) — MLB phenom Shohei Ohtani once again will lead Japan at the World Baseball Classic, while attempting to secure a second consecutive championship.
“Thank you to all the fans for another great season,” Ohtani wrote Monday on his social media platforms. “I’ll train hard and look forward to seeing you all next year. Happy to play and represent Japan again.”
Ohtani hit .435 (10 for 23) with four doubles, a home run and an RBI to help Japan win the title while earning 2023 World Baseball Classic MVP honors. He also went 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA in three mound appearances.
Japan went 4-0 in pool play, with 38 runs scored and eight runs allowed, before respective quarterfinal and semifinal wins over Italy and Mexico.
Ohtani helped lead the Japanese over the United States in the title game, which ended with him striking out former teammate Mike Trout.
Ohtani, who returned to the mound this year after a pitching hiatus of nearly two years, did not say if he plans to pitch for Japan. The two-way superstar went 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA over 14 starts this season for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He also hit .282 with a career-high 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, a league-high 146 runs scored, 25 doubles and nine triples en route to his fourth MVP Award, while helping the Dodgers win a second-consecutive World Series.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be held from March 5 to March 17. Japan will start play March 6 at Tokyo Dome.
In addition to Tokyo, games will be played be played in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston; and Miami. The semifinals and championship game will be held at loanDepot park in Miami, the home stadium for the Miami Marlins.
Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr., Corbin Carroll and Pete Crow-Armstrong are among the players committed to Team USA for the tournament.