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Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has once again shut down on pitching in the World Baseball Classic for Team Japan.
Ohtani has been hitting only during Japan’s pool play, honoring his commitment to the Dodgers and staying away from the mound.
Now, though, Ohtani and Japan are entering the knockout phase of the tournament, and there has been speculation that he could still step on the mound if the chance came.
He pitched during the 2023 WBC, getting the final out for the team and securing the title against his former teammate Mike Trout, and Ohtani proved to be quite effective.
Considering how much the WBC means to Japan, if the scenario were to arise, he would feel the urge to pitch and potentially do so.
However, on the eve of the quarterfinals starter, Ohtani made it clear that he will not be making any pitching appearances.
“That’s the promise with the team. (Not pitching) is the sincerity I think toward the team that graciously sent me off,” Ohtani said.
Even if he does not pitch in the tournament, Ohtani will provide more than enough value as a hitter. He is already five for nine at the plate with two home runs, four walks, and six RBIs.
While he can still produce at an elite level when he does double duty, Ohtani is able to be a better hitter when he is just focusing on hitting, as evidenced by his production over the last two years.
Additionally, Japan has a good deal of pitching depth in its ranks that bodes well for its prospects against the elite teams, including the Dodgers’ very own Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Ohtani’s pitching ramp-up
While Ohtani is not going to be pitching in an official capacity for Japan, he is still taking the mound during live batting practice to sharpen up for the start of the season.
Ohtani is seemingly aiming for a Cy Young-caliber season, and to get firing on that level, the Japanese star is still making sure he gets outings and repetitions.
The Dodgers are surely keeping tabs on Ohtani and where he is at, as pitching coach Mark Prior laid out a plan for him to get pitching work done while with Japan.
