Dave Roberts Doesn't Want Shohei Ohtani to Pitch for Japan in WBC

"Ohtani made his return to the mound in 2025 after not pitching for the entirety of 2024, and slowly worked his way up to pitching six innings towards the end of the season. With the extended season, though, and the quick start up with the WBC, the Dodgers are being cautious with Ohtani's participation in the tournament. "I don't know," Roberts said when asked if Ohtani would pitch in the WBC. "I'm hoping he doesn't. ... I would say, the thought is he's probably just going to hit, but I don't know.""

"Ohtani had a fantastic season upon his return to pitching, posting a 2.87 ERA through 14 starts, spanning 47 innings. He recorded 62 strikeouts throughout his outings, and posted the second-lowest WHIP of his career (1.043). More news: Dodgers' Tommy Edman Provides Injury Update He stretched his dominance into the postseason, making four starts and earning two wins, throwing a total of 20 innings. He struck out 28 batters in that time, 10 of which came against the Milwaukee Brewers in one of the best postseason performances of all time."

"The Dodgers understandably hold some concern over Ohtani's health heading into 2026, as he has undergone a couple of surgeries on his elbow and has missed extended periods of time following both of them. Ohtani will still be enough of a contributor for Team Japan with only a bat, as his offense alone led him to an MVP award in 2024."

Shohei Ohtani returned to pitching in 2025 after not pitching in 2024 and worked up to six-inning outings late in the season. He posted a 2.87 ERA across 14 starts (47 innings), recorded 62 strikeouts, and posted a 1.043 WHIP, the second-lowest of his career. He continued strong in the postseason with four starts, two wins, 20 innings and 28 strikeouts, including a 10-strikeout outing against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers are approaching his World Baseball Classic participation cautiously because of prior elbow surgeries and missed time; the prevailing expectation is that he will serve as a hitter only for Team Japan, which seeks a fourth WBC title.

Read at Dodgers Nation