Shohei Ohtani Believes World Baseball Classic Helped Him Prepare For Season

Shohei Ohtani was limited to playing in only three Cactus League games with the Los Angeles Dodgers this spring due to joining the Team Japan roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Ohtani exclusively served as Samurai Japan’s designated hitter and went 6-for-13 with three home runs in four games. The two-way star led the country to the quarterfinals, where they would lose to eventual champion Team Venezuela.

Although Team Japan fell short of defending its title, Ohtani still enjoyed the experience and believes playing in high-intensity games helped him prepare for the regular season with the Dodgers.

“In terms of the hitting, it did help that I played in an atmosphere that was pretty intense and competitive,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton on SportsNet LA. “So the fact that I had to get things going earlier in the offseason, maybe, was the only thing that really affected my preparation.

“But I think it helped me more so than it hurt me, as I played in meaningful games in the World Baseball Classic.”

Ohtani is now set to get a few more reps as a hitter when the Dodgers play the Los Angeles Angels in the annual Freeway Series this weekend. The two-way star is entering his third season with the Dodgers and has been nothing short of spectacular since signing his historic 10-year, $700 million contract.

In 2024, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. He followed up that success by hitting a career-high 55 home runs last year en route to winning a third consecutive MVP Award.

He now has his sights set on winning the Cy Young Award, which would make him the first Japanese-born pitcher to do so.

Shohei Ohtani makes 2026 Cactus League debut as pitcher

Ohtani didn’t pitch for Team Japan in the WBC, but recently made his 2026 Cactus League debut as a pitcher against the San Francisco Giants. He allowed one hit over 4.1 scoreless innings, but walked two and hit a batter as well.

Ohtani is expected to pitch against the Angels in the Freeway Series on Tuesday and will likely make his first meaningful start of the season on March 31 when the Dodgers host the Cleveland Guardians.