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\nSamurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, to announce the first eight members of his roster for March’s World Baseball Classic. (Kyodo) <\/p>\n
\n TOKYO (Kyodo) — Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was among eight players named Friday in Samurai Japan’s initial roster announcement for March’s World Baseball Classic.
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\n Ohtani led Japan to the previous WBC championship in 2023 and was named most valuable player of the tournament for his outstanding two-way performance as a pitcher and a batter.
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\n Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata announced two other current major league players — Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui — as confirmed for the 2026 WBC roster.
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\n The five other players named Friday were all pitchers with Nippon Professional Baseball clubs, headlined by Nippon Ham Fighters right-hander Hiromi Ito, the 2025 winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award for Japan’s top starting pitcher.
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\n Joining Ito will be Taisei Ota of the Yomiuri Giants, Atsuki Taneichi of the Lotte Marines, Kaima Taira of the Seibu Lions and Daichi Ishii of the Hanshin Tigers.
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\n The remaining roster members are set to be named in January.
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\n “We expect a fierce battle, but we will continue to prepare our team with the aim of winning back-to-back championships,” Ibata said.
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\n The players’ jersey numbers were also announced, with Ohtani once again donning No. 16 for Japan.
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\n Japan will open its WBC campaign against Taiwan at Tokyo Dome on March 6. The quarterfinals and beyond will be held in the United States, with the final at Miami’s loanDepot park on March 17.
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