Two years ago, Shohei Ohtani stood on the mound in the 2023 World Baseball Classic finals against Team USA. He pitched, hit a home run, and struck out Mike Trout to seal Japan’s championship. With the WBC scheduled for March 2026, Japan planned to defend their title with Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who just helped deliver a World Series championship. But the Dodgers are pushing back, and Japan’s roster suddenly looks uncertain.

The Dodgers’ concerns stem from what happened this past season. Ohtani played through a complete season for the first time in years, including all seven games of the Fall Classic. Meanwhile, Yamamoto carried a heavy workload through the same championship run. Their offseason is now more than a month shorter than it was before the 2023 WBC.

For Ohtani, who’s preparing to pitch and hit full-time in 2026, that matters. The Dodgers have made their reluctance clear and are discussing pitch counts and innings limits if both players participate.

The Dodgers can’t directly block their players from joining the WBC. Teams don’t have veto power under tournament rules. But Los Angeles can voice concerns, and those conversations influence decisions.

The franchise invested massive contracts in both players and wants them fresh for another championship run in 2026. Watching them play high-stakes baseball in March, with injury risks attached, creates obvious tension.

The numbers show why Japan desperately wants both. Shohei Ohtani at the 2023 World Baseball Classic hit 10 times in 23 at-bats (.435 average), with a .606 on-base percentage and .739 slugging, while also pitching to a 1.86 ERA and striking out 11 in 9.2 innings. And the 27-year-old appeared in two games (one start) in the 2023 WBC, totalling 7.1 innings with a 2.45 ERA, 12 strikeouts, and 0 home runs allowed.

Japan needs both players. Ohtani’s two-way skills are the key to winning the games. Yamamoto proved himself as an ace throughout 2025, dominating in October when it mattered most. Without them, Japan’s path to repeat as champions becomes much harder.

Shohei Ohtani himself talked about his plans for the WBC in a phone call after he won the league MVP award. He told reporters he’s “waiting for a call” about the WBC and that decisions are still being made.

For a player considered essential to Samurai Japan, that wait reflects ongoing negotiations between the Dodgers and Japan’s national team.

Team USA stands to benefit directly. Facing Japan without Shohei Ohtani and Yamamoto eliminates their two most significant threats. Japan’s problem becomes Team USA’s advantage heading into March.

However, the situation extends beyond Ohtani and Yamamoto.

WBC participation in doubt. Sasaki is also under the watch

Roki Sasaki’s status on the 2026 WBC squad for Samurai Japan is also unknown. Despite his talent and past international experience, his workload raises concerns similar to those surrounding Ohtani and Yamamoto.

Sasaki logged high-velocity outings in 2023 but has faced injury and usage concerns since. Japan must balance its potential impact against its health and development.

In recent weeks, concerns have mounted: Sasaki logged high-velocity outings and showed advanced talent in 2023, but he’s also faced with injury and usage troubles.

The organization needs to think about whether he can withstand the extra innings and pressure of the WBC without hurting his season. That topic is still very much open.

Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes confirmed the team hasn’t discussed WBC participation for any of their Japanese players yet. “We haven’t discussed yet whether Japanese players Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki will participate in the WBC. We will talk soon,” Gomes said.

Japanese outlet Chunichi Shimbun reported that the Dodgers have been “somewhat passive” regarding their Japanese players’ WBC involvement.

Sasaki’s 2023 WBC performance showed his value—his fastball averaged roughly 100.5 mph, with a top speed near 101.9 mph. But whether he’ll pitch for Samurai Japan in March remains an open question.