By TAKANORI TSUJI/ Staff Writer
December 27, 2025 at 18:14 JST
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
Manager Hirokazu Ibata on Dec. 26 announced the first group of players for his Samurai Japan team seeking to defend its World Baseball Classic title next spring that includes a superstar returning member and a veteran newcomer.
Among the eight players named were Shohei Ohtani of the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Yusei Kikuchi of the Los Angeles Angels and Yuki Matsui of the San Diego Padres. Five pitchers from Nippon Professional Baseball teams were also named.
Ibata explained that his first group were all pitchers because he wanted them to become accustomed to the different ball used in the WBC.
But the Dodgers have indicated that they do not want Ohtani pitching in the WBC.
Ibata only said talks were continuing with the Dodgers about using Ohtani both as a designated hitter and a pitcher.
The remaining 22 players will be named in January, including some who have yet to respond to requests to be part of the team.
This will be the first time for Kikuchi to be named to Samurai Japan. He attended the same Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate Prefecture prior to Ohtani.
Kikuchi at 34 will be the oldest member of Samurai Japan and will likely be asked to serve in the role that star pitcher Yu Darvish fulfilled two years ago as a psychological core of the team.
Ibata added that he wanted Kikuchi to pass on advice to NPB pitchers about such factors as the pitch clock and electrical exchange of signs between pitcher and catcher that are used in the major leagues.
He has pitched seven seasons in the majors, for the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros and the Angels.
“I want to fulfill the role being asked of me on the team and will pitch with everything I have so Japan can win,” Kikuchi said.
Talks are ongoing with the Chicago White Sox about including NPB slugger Munetaka Murakami, who recently signed a two-year contract with that team.
Similar negotiations are expected once infielder Kazuma Okamoto of the Yomiuri Giants signs with an MLB club.
The first round of the WBC begins on March 6 in Tokyo for Samurai Japan.
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