Baseball: Ohtani expresses readiness to play for Japan at WBC

Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani said Thursday he has notified Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama, his former skipper at the Nippon Ham Fighters, that he is prepared to play at the World Baseball Classic next March.

"I have officially informed Team Japan Manager Mr. Kuriyama that I would like to participate in next year's WBC," Ohtani said on his Instagram account.

Kuriyama helped Ohtani build his career as a two-way player when they worked together at the Fighters in Japan's Pacific League between 2013 and 2017.

"Looking forward for the opportunity to face the best players around the world and to be able to play in front of the Japanese fans for the first time in over 5 years!!" Ohtani wrote.

This past August, Ohtani was given approval to take part in his first WBC by Angels general manager Perry Minasian.

Ohtani was unable to play in the previous edition, won by the United States in 2017, because of a right ankle injury.

Two-time WBC champion Japan will first face China on March 9 in Pool B at Tokyo Dome. The semifinals and the final will be played in Miami.

© Kyodo News