Shohei Ohtani Leads! Japan Samurai Team Announces First Eight Players for the Baseball Classic

The Japan team for the 2026 Sixth World Baseball Classic (WBC) unveiled its first group of eight participants today (December 26). Apart from the two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, the remaining seven are pitchers. Additionally, the team announced the jersey numbers for these eight players, with Ohtani once again wearing the number 16 for “Samurai Japan.”

The list includes three Major League Baseball players: two-way talent Shohei Ohtani, and two left-handed pitchers Yusei Kikuchi (Los Angeles Angels) and Yuki Matsui (San Diego Padres).

Moreover, five Nippon Professional Baseball players made this roster: Kodai Itoh (Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters), Taisei Ota (Yomiuri Giants), Atsuki Taneichi (Chiba Lotte Marines), Kaima Taira (Saitama Seibu Lions), and Daichi Ishii (Hanshin Tigers).

The exact reporting date for the MLB players has not been finalized. The NPB players plan to begin training in Miyazaki in February 2026, followed by participation in the “Luxus Samurai Japan Series 2026” held in Miyazaki and Nagoya.

Japan’s manager Hirokazu Ibata stated: “We are announcing part of the roster representing Samurai Japan in the Classic. We sincerely thank every player and all staff from their respective teams. Other players will be announced later after confirming their health and agreements with their clubs.”

Ibata added: “As top players from various countries continue to confirm their participation, we expect the competition to be intense. However, we are actively building our team aiming to successfully defend the title.”

First wave of eight players for Japan’s 2026 Sixth World Baseball Classic roster:

Pitchers (7 players):

• #1 Yuki Matsui (San Diego Padres)Left-handed pitcher and batter
• #14 Kodai Itoh (Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters)Right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter
• #15 Taisei Ota (Yomiuri Giants)Right-handed pitcher and batter
• #17 Yusei Kikuchi (Los Angeles Angels)Left-handed pitcher and batter
• #26 Atsuki Taneichi (Chiba Lotte Marines)Right-handed pitcher and batter
• #61 Kaima Taira (Saitama Seibu Lions)Right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter
• #69 Daichi Ishii (Hanshin Tigers)Right-handed pitcher and batter

Two-way player (1 player):

• #16 Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)Right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter