For Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, the time has come for him to leave Spring Training for the World Baseball Classic. 

Ohtani will be playing for Samurai Japan in the WBC, and he hopes to lead his team to victory in the competition. Yet Ohtani also understands that he has to get ramped up for the 2026 MLB season, too.

With that in mind, the Dodgers have told Ohtani that he isn't going to be allowed to pitch in the WBC. He's only going to be used as a hitter. At the same time, because he's going to be out of the Spring Training atmosphere, Ohtani still needs to get in his work as a pitcher.

Before Spring Training started at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman discussed Ohtani's situation with reporters.

"Just coming off the surgery, coming off the year he had, pitching through October, just the quick turnaround at that kind of intensity coming off surgery," Friedman said, according to Dodgers beat writer Sonja Chen of MLB.com.

"And then obviously, we have designs of playing through October this year, and Shohei being a big part of that on the mound," Friedman said. "That, coupled with the idea that he wants to pitch for the next eight years, we want him to pitch for the next eight years, just trying to be really mindful of all of that.

"And so we sat down, had the conversation with him," Friedman contined. "He understood it. The competitor in him doesn't love it, but he understood it."

According to Chen, it's expected that Ohtani will face some live hitting situations along with bullpen work during the WBC. Through his interpreter, Ohtani spoke about what is expected of him.

"I’ll do everything in my power to make sure the quality and the volume are in a good place," Ohtani said. "With the limited opportunities I do have, being in a live situation, I just have to do the best I can in those situations."

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also will be keeping a watchful eye, as much as possible, on Ohtani's progress. The Dodgers' biggest fear, as it is with any MLB player involved in the WBC, that an injury might occur in the tournament.

For Ohtani, though, health is of the utmost importance. He's had two surgeries on his right elbow. Ohtani, for all the great things he's done while wearing the Dodgers' uniform, needs to have an injury-free season.

The WBC does offer a great chance for him to play for his native homeland.

Still, Ohtani must understand that his No. 1 goal is to get as ready as possible for the 2026 MLB season. He is an important part of the Dodgers' success in winning back-to-back World Series championships.

The risk of playing in the WBC is a big one. But the rewards are also big for Ohtani, who could become an MVP in the WBC should Samurai Japan win the whole thing.

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