GLENDALE, Arizona – Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki took part in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first spring workout for pitchers and catchers in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday.
Ohtani and Yamamoto are preparing for Japan’s World Baseball Classic title defense next month, while Sasaki is sitting out the tournament following an injury-interrupted season.
Entering his ninth major league season, Ohtani will try to help the Dodgers win a third straight World Series following his first preseason of pitching preparation since undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023.
The 31-year-old claimed his third straight MVP award and fourth overall in 2025 after hitting a career-high 55 home runs in the regular season and earning his first pitching win in two years.
“Winning the World Series, winning the WBC, and becoming MVP aren’t things you only want to achieve just once,” Ohtani said. “I think people around you will recognize you as a top-notch player only if you keep doing it. It’s important to keep building.”
The 27-year-old Yamamoto went 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA and was named World Series MVP after earning three wins in the MLB championship showdown against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Sasaki, 24, is expected to return to a starting role after working out of the bullpen last season.
Ohtani and Yamamoto are expected to join the Samurai Japan’s training camp in late February. Ohtani, who played a key role in Japan’s 2023 WBC triumph with his two-way performance, has decided to play exclusively as a hitter at the tournament opening March 5.
“I’ve only been pitching since the second half of last year. I’m convinced that it’s difficult (to pitch at the WBC) at this stage,” he said. “Of course I can play as a designated hitter without any problems. I’ll prepare for that.”
Managed by Hirokazu Ibata, Japan will launch its title defense against Pool C opponent Taiwan at Tokyo Dome on March 6 following a training camp in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan.