The Los Angeles Angels' two-way superstar revealed he had joined Team Japan for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Ohtani, who came in fourth in the AL Cy Young voting on Wednesday, announced on his Instagram account that he would be participating in the World Baseball Classic.
"Thank you to all the fans that supported me this year," stated Ohtani. I'm grateful for it and eager for what comes next.
Additionally, I formally told Team Japan Manager Mr. Kuriyama of my desire to compete in the WBC in the following year.
The top two-way player expressed excitement about playing in front of his native nation. "Looking forward to the opportunity to battle the top players around the world
and to be able to play in front of the Japanese fans for the first time in over 5 years!" he subsequently wrote in the post.