Roberts: WBC a ‘very critical’ deal for Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki

Orlando, Fla. — The participation of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Rookie Sasaki in the World Baseball Classic is “very critical” following the World Series that stretches through November, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is unsure if any limits will be placed on his Japanese All-Stars team.

Ohtani underwent elbow surgery in September 2023 and returned to the mound in June. The two-way sensation helped the Dodgers become World Series champions again for the first time in a quarter century, starting with a Game 7 victory over Toronto.

“I’d like to think it’s going to be a conversation as far as restrictions and limitations, just in the sense of trying to give them a chance,” Roberts said Monday at baseball’s winter meetings. “They have come up with some things, some long seasons, and certainly with Yamamoto and are looking for 2026. But at the moment we have no more clarity than before.”

Ohtani earned his fourth unanimous Most Valuable Player award, hitting .282 with 55 homers, 102 RBI and 20 stolen bases while going 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA over 14 short starts, including 62 strikeouts in 47 innings. He had 8 homers and 14 RBIs in 17 post-season games, along with a 2-1 record and 4.43 ERA in four post-season starts.

Roberts said he wasn’t sure if Ohtani would pitch for defending champion Japan in the WBC, which begins March 5 and ends March 17 — nine days before the Dodgers’ opener against Arizona.

“I hope he doesn’t but I don’t know,” Roberts said. “Shohei’s – he’s very in tune with his body. But I’d say the idea is that he’s probably just going to kill.”

Ohtani was the MVP of the 2023 WBC, when Japan defeated the United States 3–2 in the final as Ohtani then struck out Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout in the final. That tournament typically limited pitchers to 65 pitches in the first round, 80 in the quarterfinals and 95 in the championship, and included mandatory days off after some pitch counts.

Sasaki started the semifinal win over Mexico and Yamamoto followed in relief as Ohtani doubled to spark a ninth-inning rally.

“I don’t want to take away from what it means to represent their country,” Roberts said. “I know that the organization is not, but I think that the conversation needs to be, has to be, as far as what each individual is taking and what role he is playing and what potential relationships there may be. … But you can not argue with that emotion, what a player may feel this potential opportunity.

After signing a $325 million, 12-year contract in December 2023 with the Dodgers limited to 90 innings by a triceps injury in his first season, Yamamoto pitched a combined 211 innings in the regular season and postseason this year.

Sasaki, in his rookie season, did not pitch for the Dodgers between May 9 and September 24 due to a sprained right shoulder and became their closer in the postseason.

Los Angeles plans to keep Ohtani as a regular member of the starting rotation next season.

“But it’s not going to be a regular five-man rotation,” Roberts said. “I don’t want to go down the six-man rotation route, but I feel like giving him six, seven, eight days off to get comfortable and continue to develop, I think that’s in our process. But again, we’ve got to move forward but we’ve got some very capable candidates.

After giving the Dodgers their third title in six seasons, Roberts tried to isolate and rest. He told Amazon Prime’s “Good Sports” last week that he favors the salary cap, which some in management are suggesting could be proposed during collective bargaining next year. Baseball is the only US professional major league without a cap.

“You know what? I’m fine with that,” Roberts said. “I think the NBA has done a good job of sharing revenue with players and owners, but if you’re going to push costs at the top, I think you’ve got to raise the floor so that the bottom feeders also spend money.”

“I’m entitled to an opinion, as are we all,” Roberts said Monday. “My opinion should not move the needle.”

Los Angeles projects a major league-record $509.5 million in payroll and luxury taxes this year. The New York Mets, who did not make the playoffs, are second at a projected $428.8 million.

“We have an organization that whatever rules or regulations, structures are put in front of us, we’re going to prevail,” Roberts said. “And then just give us the rules, let us know the landscape and then I’ll bet on my organization.”