Shohei Ohtani announces he will play for Japan in next year’s World Baseball Classic

Advertisement

Advertise with us

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani plans to play for Japan in next year's World Baseball Classic, the two-way Los Angeles Dodgers star announced on social media Monday night.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$0 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani plans to play for Japan in next year’s World Baseball Classic, the two-way Los Angeles Dodgers star announced on social media Monday night.

Ohtani helped Japan win the 2023 WBC, striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out of the championship game against the United States. He was named MVP of the tournament.

Ohtani won his fourth MVP award this month, shortly after he helped the Dodgers win their second straight World Series title. He returned to the mound this season after not pitching in 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts during Game 4 of baseball's National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts during Game 4 of baseball's National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

In the postseason, he had arguably the best game in major league history, striking out 10 batters and hitting three homers as the Dodgers completed a four-game NL Championship Series sweep of Milwaukee.

Ohtani did not specify in his post whether he plans to pitch for Japan in the WBC, which begins on March 5.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Report Error Submit a Tip

Baseball

LOAD MORE