TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 08: Manager Hirokazu Ibata #89 of Team Japan is introduced prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Australia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

Japan's Shohei Ohtani (L), Munetaka Murakami (R) and Kensuke Kondoh (bottom) warm up prior to the start of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool C game between Japan and Australia at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP via Getty Images)

Japan's Shohei Ohtani warms up prior to the start of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool C game between Japan and Australia at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP via Getty Images)

Japan's Shohei Ohtani warms up prior to the start of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool C game between Japan and Australia at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP via Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 08: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan warms up prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Australia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 08: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan warms up prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Australia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 08: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan warms up prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Australia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 08: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan warms up prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Australia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 8, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)