sports
Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in the WBC
Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. According to Dave Roberts, manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the dual agent will not take the mound during the tournament, focusing his efforts exclusively on his role as designated hitter.
TL;DR
- Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- Ohtani will exclusively serve as a designated hitter in the tournament.
- The decision prioritizes Ohtani's health following elbow surgery in August 2023.
- Ohtani's recovery from a torn ulnar collateral ligament prevented him from pitching in 2024.
- Ohtani was a pitcher in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, securing the final out.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be part of Japan's starting rotation.
- Yamamoto has been cleared to pitch despite a considerable workload in his recent season.