Shohei Ohtani‘s participation in the upcoming World Baseball Classic has been confirmed, bolstering Team Japan’s chances for a repeat championship. The Los Angeles Dodgers,however,are keenly focused on managing Ohtani’s workload in the tournament,given his importance to their upcoming MLB season and recent recovery from arm procedures. As Ohtani prepares to perhaps contribute as both a pitcher and hitter for Team Japan, the Dodgers are exploring options to monitor his condition and ensure a safe return to health ahead of the league season. Discussions are underway regarding potential team support staff accompanying Japan during the WBC to assist with Ohtani’s care.
Shohei Ohtani. (Photo credit)
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar, Shohei Ohtani, has officially confirmed his participation in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, aiming to lead Team Japan to a second consecutive championship. Now, attention shifts to whether Ohtani will pitch and hit in the tournament, a question that has the Dodgers closely monitoring the situation.
Ohtani is expected to be a key player for the Dodgers when the MLB season begins, with hopes he’ll contribute as both a pitcher and a hitter. This makes his workload in the WBC a point of concern, particularly regarding potential strain on his arm. While Team Japan naturally wants Ohtani’s full skillset on display, they also recognize the need to protect their star player. The Dodgers, in effect, have “temporarily entrusted” Ohtani to the national team, and ensuring his safe return is paramount.
According to reports, the Dodgers are considering sending a trainer or team personnel to accompany Team Japan during the tournament. The Japanese squad is also looking to bolster its support staff with individuals familiar with Ohtani’s routines and physical condition. “Having someone who understands Ohtani’s adjustments and methods would be ideal for a pitcher,” a source within Team Japan revealed.
The coaching staff for the previous WBC championship run was largely comprised of personnel from Ohtani’s former team, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, including manager Hideki Kuriyama, bench coach Kazuhiko Ino, pitching coach Satoshi Nagai, and bullpen coach Kazuhiro Kozawa – all instrumental in developing Ohtani’s two-way abilities. As a result, the Los Angeles Angels had no objections to how Team Japan utilized Ohtani in that tournament.
This year’s coaching staff features only one member, bench coach Makoto Kinzo, who previously worked with Ohtani during his time with the Fighters. Pitching coaches Ichiro Tajima and Atsushi Nomi have no prior direct experience with Ohtani from his Nippon-Ham days, making the addition of an “Ohtani expert” even more crucial. This shift in personnel is prompting further discussion within the “Endo system” coaching staff.
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