MIAMI — Shohei Ohtani is once again the centerpiece of Team Japan at the World Baseball Classic, but while he dominates at the plate, he’s also carefully preparing to pitch in the 2026 MLB season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On Thursday, Ohtani threw a four-inning live batting practice session against Samurai Japan hitters at loanDepot Park ahead of Japan’s quarterfinal matchup with Venezuela, totaling 59 pitches, facing 18 batters, and striking out seven.
The session is part of Ohtani’s plan to stay sharp as a pitcher, even though he will not be pitching in any of the Classic games.
“I’ve been making my own adjustments as a pitcher alongside the tournament,” Ohtani said in Japanese. “The volume and quality were good, so I feel well-prepared for the new season.”
Unlike the 2023 Classic, when Ohtani both pitched and hit — famously striking out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout to secure the championship — he is only hitting in 2026.
After returning from elbow surgery during the 2025 season and pitching through a lengthy postseason for the Dodgers, he is taking a cautious approach entering his first full two-way season for L.A.
Ohtani emphasized that his live batting practice in the WBC is purely for his MLB preparation. “As of now, playing as a pitcher in the WBC is not happening,” he said, noting that this approach honors the Dodgers, who allowed him to participate in the tournament.
He added that pitching would only become an option in the unlikely event of injuries to Japan’s pitching staff.
Last season, Ohtani made 14 regular-season starts and four postseason starts for the Dodgers, totaling 67 1/3 innings with a 3.34 ERA and 90 strikeouts. He and the Dodgers agreed in advance that he would not pitch in the Classic, a decision Ohtani fully supports.
“I have no dissatisfaction about not pitching in the WBC,” he said. “I want to contribute where I can, and Japan already has excellent pitchers. It’s exciting to show the world the talent of young Japanese pitchers, even without me on the mound.”
