Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto Lead Japan’s World Baseball Classic Roster
As the 2026 World Baseball Classic approaches, Japan is poised to defend its championship title with a star-studded roster headlined by Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. While Ohtani will focus solely on hitting during the tournament, his presence, alongside Yamamoto, is expected to draw significant attention and bolster Japan’s chances of success.
Ohtani’s Role and Fan Reception
Shohei Ohtani, a four-time MVP in Major League Baseball, returns to the Samurai Japan squad, but will not be pitching due to recovery from a recent injury. Upon his arrival in Osaka, Ohtani was met with enthusiastic cheers from fans, demonstrating his immense popularity in his home country. He clinched Japan’s 2023 WBC victory by striking out Mike Trout in the championship game, hitting .435 with a home run, eight RBIs and a 1.345 OPS while pitching 9 2/3 innings, striking out 11 hitters and posting a 1.86 ERA.
Yamamoto Joins the Roster
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 2025 World Series MVP, has officially joined the Japanese roster, solidifying the team’s pitching strength. Manager Hirokazu Ibata expressed confidence in Yamamoto, stating, “He is Japan’s top pitcher, there is no doubt about that.” Yamamoto trained during the offseason to prepare for the competition.
Competition and Odds
Despite the formidable Japanese lineup, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is currently favored to win the WBC MVP award, with odds of +750. Ohtani has the second-best odds at +1100. His limited role as a hitter, rather than a two-way player, likely influences this positioning.
Full Roster and Upcoming Games
The Japanese roster also includes MLB players such as Seiya Suzuki (Cubs), Yusei Kikuchi (Angels), Munetaka Murakami (White Sox), Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays), Yuki Matsui (Padres), and Tomoyuki Sugano. Team Japan will play tune-up games against the Orix Buffaloes and Hanshin Tigers before beginning Pool C play on March 5th against Chinese Taipei.