There’s growing concern inside the Los Angeles Dodgers organization about what could happen to their superstars during the 2026 World Baseball Classic – above all with Shohei Ohtani, who is preparing to once again represent Japan and chase back-to-back titles.
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Manager Dave Roberts is well aware of what his megastar is up to, but he’s openly hoping Ohtani does not return to two-way duty in the tournament.
Dave Roberts wants Ohtani to take it easy on the mound
Roberts has made it clear he’d prefer Shohei Ohtani stick to hitting only, and it’s easy to understand why: the Dodgers cannot afford even the slightest risk with their best player.
“I don’t,” Roberts told reporters at the Winter Meetings when asked if he knew whether Ohtani would pitch in the WBC. “I’m hoping he doesn’t. But I don’t know. Shohei is very in tune with his body, but I would say probably the thought is he’s just going to hit… but I really don’t know.”
In the 2023 WBC, Ohtani was a full two-way monster:
- Hitting: .435/.606/.739, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 10 BB in 7 games
- Pitching: 9 IP (2 starts, 1 relief), 1.86 ERA, 11 K
He delivered the iconic moment of the tournament by striking out Mike Trout to clinch the championship for Japan.
Unfortunately, that heavy workload was followed by elbow surgery, and Ohtani didn’t pitch again until the 2025 season with the Dodgers – a return the club managed with extreme caution.
“There’s no more clarity for us right now,” Roberts added. “Obviously both sides are excited about the possibility. Japan is obviously excited. We’ll have to have that conversation. I’d like to think there will be dialogue about restrictions and limitations – just to give them the chance to compete while protecting everyone.”
The Dodgers are paying more than $1 billion combined to their Japanese pitching trio of Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki – three cornerstone arms as they chase a repeat and a potential three-peat in 2026.
No wonder Dave Roberts is already losing sleep over March.