"While the Los Angeles Dodgers aren't scheduled to start a new season internationally for the first time since 2023, Spring Training is still going to have a wrinkle because of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Like in previous years, the assumption has held Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto would be part of the Team Japan roster for the international tournament. Ohtani recently confirmed his plans to be with Samurai Japan, but there has not yet any clarity on Yamamoto or Roki Sasaki."
"Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently acknowledged the team held some reservations over the possibility of Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki playing in the World Baseball Classic next year but noted the organization would be supportive nevertheless. Roberts also did admit the Dodgers' preference would be for Ohtani to only serve as a designated hitter for Team Japan and not pitch. It's not yet clear if that will be the case."
"Yamamoto managed to remain healthy this past season and made 30 starts en route to earning a first career All-Star Game selection. He then helped lead the Dodgers' rotation in the postseason and famously pitched in Games 6 and 7 of the World Series. That presumably is playing a significant part in the Dodgers' apparent preference for the 27-year-old to skip the international tournament."
The Los Angeles Dodgers will not begin the season with an international series for the first time since 2023, but Spring Training will be affected by the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Shohei Ohtani has confirmed plans to join Team Japan. The Dodgers prefer Ohtani to serve only as a designated hitter rather than pitch. Yoshinobu Yamamoto hopes to participate in the WBC but has not decided his status. There was an unconfirmed report that the Dodgers prevented Roki Sasaki from joining Team Japan because of a 2025 right shoulder injury. Yamamoto made 30 starts, earned his first All-Star selection, and pitched in Games 6 and 7 of the World Series.
Read at Dodger Blue
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