"I regret not being able to play last time, so I'm going to get in shape so I can play this year. I'm also honored to be able to represent Japan with everyone in the team. I'll do my best for the team and for Japan."
"Of note, Shota Imanaga, who'd previously pitched for Samurai Japan, is not on the roster this year. It'd been an open question whether he'd participate, and, although we don't know yet the particulars, I do wonder if he wanted to focus fully on preparing for the 2026 MLB season given the way 2025 played out, and given that he accepted the Qualifying Offer in part as a way to potentially re-enter the market after a big season. ( There is still at least one open spot on the roster, for what it's worth, so it's still possible Imanaga could be selected and choose to participate. For now, though, he's not on the roster.)"
Seiya Suzuki will represent Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic after missing the previous tournament because of an oblique injury. Suzuki expressed regret for missing the last WBC, said he will get in shape to play this year, and feels honored to represent Japan with his teammates. Shota Imanaga is not on the roster this year, and his absence raises questions about a possible focus on preparing for the 2026 MLB season after accepting a Qualifying Offer. The roster includes stars such as Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and there remains at least one open roster spot.
Read at Bleacher Nation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]