Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Ohtani Won’t Pitch at WBC as Yamamoto Draws Japan’s Quarterfinal Start

Club-country workload plans steer Japan’s approach, keeping Ohtani off the mound as Yamamoto starts the quarterfinal.

Image
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 06: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan flips the bats during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Japan and Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 06, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Gene Wang - Capture At Media/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Japan confirmed Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal against Venezuela at Miami’s loanDepot park.
  • Shohei Ohtani reiterated there are no plans for him to pitch in the tournament and said he aims to contribute solely as a hitter.
  • Manager Hirokazu Ibata signaled no preset pitch limit for Yamamoto, saying he wants the right-hander to go as far as he can.
  • Venezuela manager Omar Lopez named Ranger Suarez as his starter for the matchup.
  • After an earlier contrary report, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is now expected to remain with Samurai Japan for the rest of the WBC playoffs.