Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki have played for Japan in year’s past,  but this year the Dodgers feel a little different about it.

Doc Roberts is speaking of health concerns and keeping his Pitchers healthy. Yamamoto, threw the most pitches out of the three stars, and with such a long post season, there is some merit to these concerns.

Its already known that Ohtani wants to pitch full time this coming season, so it will be unlikely he will pitch in the WBC.. but maybe DH?

Jason Fray from Dodgers Nation expounds on the topic more:

Why Dodgers Don't Want Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki to Pitch in WBC Will Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Roki Sasaki represent Team Japan in the WBC?