Ohtani will play for Japan at WBC
Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic, he announced Thursday.
This will be Ohtani's first time participating in the WBC, which begins March 8.
Japan plays in Pool B, with all group-stage games hosted at the Tokyo Dome. The team will play against South Korea, Australia, China, and the Czech Republic.
Two games in the second round will also be played in Tokyo before the semis and finals move to LoanDepot Park in Miami.
Ohtani, 28, won AL MVP last year and is a finalist for the honor this year. The two-time All-Star hit .273/.356/.519 with 34 homers and 11 stolen bases while also authoring a 2.33 ERA and 2.40 FIP over 166 innings. He finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting, announced Wednesday evening.
Ohtani played under Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama during his tenure with Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters from 2013-17.
Angels teammate Mike Trout is serving as the captain of Team USA's squad.