Shohei Ohtani May Face Team USA in World Baseball Classic Finals
Team USA may be facing Shohei Ohtani on the mound as well in the World Baseball championship Tuesday night in Miami.
Just don’t expect Japan’s biggest star to start.
Japan national team manager Hideki Kuriyama said after Monday night’s walk-off 6-5 win over Mexico that Ohtani pitching against Team USA is not out of the question. Ohtani last took the hill Thursday in Tokyo, throwing 71 pitches across 4 2/3 innings in a quarterfinal win over Italy.
“Well, I’m going to have to check his condition,” Kuriyama told reporters after the Mexico win, “but can you hold off until tomorrow? As I mentioned before this game, I will check and see. It’s not a zero chance.”
Ohtani, who started the ninth-inning rally against Mexico with a leadoff double, left open the pitching possibility Sunday with Japanese reporters should Japan advance to the WBC finals.
“I don’t think there’s a chance of me starting, but of course I’d like to prepare to pitch in relief,” Ohtani said in Japanese. “That will depend on my physical condition. Up to this point, the team has really listened to my selfish requests and there are many things I’m doing that they have tolerated.
“This is the end of the end. From here, I’d like to have a discussion with my body and make a decision.”
Ohtani obviously wants to return to the Los Angeles Angels healthy and in good shape to start the season.
Japan could start former Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, who also last pitched Thursday. Darvish, now with the San Diego Padres, threw only 27 pitches in relief.
Japan is after its third WBC title, having won the first two tournaments in 2006 and ’09. Team USA is the defending champion.
More From SI’s Inside The Rangers:
- Jose Altuve Injury Potentially Helps Texas Rangers Playoff Chances
- Texas Rangers Terminating TV Rights if Bally Sports Goes Bankrupt
- Texas Rangers TV Uncertain in RSN Bankruptcy
- Rangers Must Lock Up Two Big Stars Before Season
- Rangers Ace deGrom Honest Thoughts on Pitch Clock, Organization
You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.
Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook and Twitter.
