LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani announced Monday he will play for defending champion Japan at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March.
The four-time Major League Baseball MVP made the announcement in an Instagram post including photos of Samurai Japan's 2023 WBC triumph and a promotional image for the upcoming tournament showing Ohtani in the national team uniform.
"I am happy to be able to represent Japan again," Ohtani wrote.
Ohtani made his WBC debut in 2023 and was named MVP of the tournament for his impact on the mound and at the plate.
Japan will open its WBC campaign against Group C opponent Taiwan at Tokyo Dome on March 6. The quarterfinals onward will be staged in the United States, with the final at Miami's loanDepot park on March 17.
