Good news in Korea! Monster Yamamoto Definitely Missing WBC's Korean Match + Ohtani Only Batter

Dec 05, 2025

Good news in Korea! Monster Yamamoto Definitely Missing WBC's Korean Match Ohtani Only Batter
Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LA Dodgers) is likely to miss the first round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. It's good news for the Korean national team.

According to a report by Japanese media 'Sponichia Nex', LA Dodgers manager David Roberts appeared on Japanese television on the same day and expressed disapproval of Yamamoto's participation in the WBC.REUTERS Yonhap News



Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LA Dodgers) is likely to miss the first round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. It's good news for the Korean national team.

According to a report by Japanese media 'Sponichia Nex', LA Dodgers manager David Roberts appeared on Japanese television on the same day and expressed disapproval of Yamamoto's participation in WBC.

The Dodgers have a very high proportion of Japanese players. He won the World Series in the 2025 season by fighting around pitchers Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, as well as Shohei Ohtani, who combined pitching and hitting.




If they all participate in the WBC before the season and exhaust their physical strength, the Dodgers will also inevitably lose power.

Roberts said, `It's difficult for pitchers. I would be surprised to hear that Sasaki is going on WBC. Sasaki has been suffering from injuries this year, but it is difficult to start from the beginning of next season"In effect, he expressed his intention not to allow Sasaki to participate.

He seemed to want Yamamoto to take a break if possible.




Roberts said, `It's hard for Yamamoto to play all the WBC games. I've thrown a lot in the last two years. It's difficult if you don't recover enough during the offseason. If Japan advances to the quarterfinals, it may be able to throw one or two games. I don't know what will happen."

At the same time, I understand how precious the WBC is. But at the same time, we need to keep them healthy," he added.

Korea took a breather for now.




Good news in Korea! Monster Yamamoto Definitely Missing WBC's Korean Match Ohtani Only Batter
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and pitcher Roki Sasaki celebrate after their win against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of baseball's World Series, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Good news in Korea! Monster Yamamoto Definitely Missing WBC's Korean Match Ohtani Only Batter
Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate with the Commissioner's Trophy in the clubhouse after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Good news in Korea! Monster Yamamoto Definitely Missing WBC's Korean Match Ohtani Only Batter
epa12498563 Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-L) is mobbed by his teammates after the final out as the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays during the bottom of the 11th inning to win the MLB World Series in game seven in Toronto, Canada, 01 November 2025. Yamamoto was named 2025 World Series MVP. EPA/EDUARDO LIMA
South Korea was in the same group as Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and the Czech Republic in the Tokyo Round, the group qualifying round. They will advance to the quarterfinals only when they secure the second place in the group. From the quarterfinals, it will be held in the U.S. Roberts says he will allow Yamamoto to play in the tournament even if he goes to the WBC.

Meanwhile, Ohtani has already confirmed his participation.

As for Ohtani, Roberts said, `I completely left the decision to Ohtani. I don't think there's a problem if Ohtani only plays as a designated hitter"He was also reluctant to take the mound as a pitcher. On the 25th of last month, Ohtani officially announced on his SNS that he would participate in WBC.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.