I normally start the NPB season thread in late March as Opening Day approaches. But with the World Baseball Classic taking place in early March I decided to post this thread now and include a focus on the preparations of Samurai Japan as the tournament draws near. We begin with Monday's press conference where national team manager Hirokazu Ibata confirmed 29 players that will represent the country in the WBC.. The 30th and final player will be confirmed at a later date. Ibata stated that it will be a player from MLB. PITCHERS 1 LHP Yuki Matsui (San Diego Padres) 13 LHP Hiroya Miyagi (Orix Buffaloes) 14 RHP Hiromi Itoh (Nippon-Ham Fighters) 15 RHP Taisei Ota (Yomiuri Giants) 16 RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) 17 LHP Yusei Kikuchi (Los Angeles Angels) 18 RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers) 19 RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (Baltimore Orioles/free agent) 26 RHP Atsuki Taneichi (Lotte Marines) 28 RHP Hiroto Takahashi (Chunichi Dragons) 47 LHP Ryuhei Sotani (Orix Buffaloes) 57 RHP Koki Kitayama (Nippon-Ham Fighters) 61 RHP Kaima Taira (Seibu Lions) 66 RHP Yuki Matsumoto (SoftBank Hawks) 69 RHP Daichi Ishii (Hanshin Tigers) CATCHERS 4 C Kenya Wakatsuki (Orix Buffaloes) 12 C Seishiro Sakamoto (Hanshin Tigers) 27 C Yuhei Nakamura (Yakult Swallows) INFIELDERS 2 2B Shugo Maki (DeNA BayStars) 3 SS Kaito Kozono (Hiroshima Carp) 5 UTL Taisei Makihara (SoftBank Hawks) 6 SS Sosuke Genda (Seibu Lions) 7 3B Teruaki Sato (Hanshin Tigers) 25 3B Kazuma Okamoto (Toronto Blue Jays) 55 1B Munetaka Murakami (Chicago White Sox) OUTFIELDERS 8 OF Kensuke Kondoh (SoftBank Hawks) 20 OF Ukyo Shuto (SoftBank Hawks) 23 OF Shota Morishita (Hanshin Tigers) 51 OF Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs) The inclusion of 8 players from MLB (with a ninth to be added) is the most of any previous Japan WBC roster. The previous high was 5 in 2009 (won the tournament): RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka - Boston Red Sox C Kenji Johjima - Seattle Mariners IF Akinori Iwamura - Tampa Bay Rays OF Kosuke Fukudome - Chicago Cubs OF Ichiro Suzuki - Seattle Mariners
Imai declined the invite. By rule, the decision to play is strictly on the player, although his team will try to influence his decision. There's also a rule in place that if a player spent at least 60 days on the injured list last season his club has a bigger say in that player's participation. This is why Sasaki is not on the team. The Dodgers basically blocked his inclusion. There's still one more spot to fill on the roster. Manager Ibata said that he hopes it will be a player from MLB. This suggests that he's still going through the tangle web process of securing the player's release through MLB. (more on this in a bit) Imanaga could be the player in question. But with 15 pitchers already on the pitching staff it's not likely going to be him. Likewise Kodai Senga, who also fits in the Sasaki category of 60 days on the injury list. Masataka Yoshida is the player believed to be in line for inclusion. He shined in the 2023 tournament. Back to Imanaga, there are also 4 southpaws on the staff, which is believed to be ideal. Rumors suggested the final lefty spot was between Imanaga and Miyagi, and Miyagi was a no-brainer to be on the team. I personally think Imanaga should replace Kikuchi on the roster.
Taiwanese sports columnist Yihsuan Wang described the difficult process of confirming the participation of MLB players. In prior tournaments, the process was fairly straight forward. • National team asks player if he wants to participate. • Player says yes. • National team talks with MLB club (who cannot block a healthy player's wish to play in WBC). Done But for 2026, the process is now centralized through MLB. • National team confirms the player’s willingness to participate. • Affiliated club grants permission. • This gets reported to MLB. • MLB will then verify with both the player and the club whether this is accurate. • Only after all four parties (national team, player, MLB club, MLB) have completed the process can the national team officially make the announcement. 球員名單確認步驟繁瑣，是總教練曾豪駒與負責組訓的中職，一開始就不打算公開43人大名單的最主要原因。特別是旅外球員的確認格外麻煩，美職體系的球員，大聯盟官方要求需要4方確認完畢後才可被列為國家隊確認出賽的球員，若無走完流程，則不得對外公告。中職需要確認球員參賽意願、所屬球隊是否放行，… pic.twitter.com/b2bOqn9mQx— Yihsuan Wang 王翊亘 (@YihsuanWang_) January 19, 2026
Detailed looks at Japan's roster. Yakyu Cosmopolitan (Yuri Karasawa) Baseball International (no idea who runs this account)
"A Place Where We Can Cheer Together as One" In 2023 Amazon Prime held the rights to broadcast the WBC in Japan. To allow non-subscribers to watch the games, Amazon sub-licensed the rights to terrestrial TV channels TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting Systems), TV Asahi and J-Sports. For 2026 Netflix holds the rights to broadcast the tournament and have stirred controversy by not sub-licensing the rights to any terrestrial networks, thus shutting out non-subscribers from watching the games from the comfort of their homes. This includes any delayed/recorded broadcasts. To help alleviate the situation, Netflix will be holding public viewing events during the tournament, allowing fans to watch Samurai Japan's games in locations associated with the hometowns and schools of all 30 players on the team. Titled "2026 World Baseball Classic Hometown Hero Public Viewing", these events will be held in 30 locations nationwide, organized by the players' hometown municipalities and schools, and co-sponsored by Netflix. The goal is to "create a place where local people and future heroes — children — can come together to cheer on the team." Netflix has also released three commercial promos leading up to the tournament. 60 second version 30 seconds 15 seconds
It was revealed on Saturday that Ohtani will NOT pitch during the WBC. His decision. This means that Itoh or Miyagi will likely be a starter along with Yamamoto, Sugano and Kikuchi. It also means that the final roster spot SHOULD go to a pitcher since they normally carry 15 pitchers. Before, it was rumored that Masataka Yoshida would be the selected player. I suppose he still could be, but they need another arm. Has to be Imanaga, I would think. Final roster hasto be confirmed by Friday. EDIT: Actually, if Imanaga ends up getting selected I can see him being the fourth starter over Itoh/Miyagi. Oh, and Sunday saw Spring Camps open for all 12 NPB teams. Yakyū season is back!
マサ！ pic.twitter.com/IHN1phjr2H— Tarou (@letsletsgogo55) February 4, 2026 Masataka Yoshida was announced on Wednesday as the 30th and final player to complete Samurai Japan's WBC roster. So Ibata sticking with 14 pitchers.
Three more promo videos from Netflix Japan. Ichiro Suzuki version Yu Darvish version Sayonara version
Netflix Japan promo - Mexico version Same moment from the Japanese documentary film "Beyond Admiration"
In February 2023 the NPB players on Samurai Japan's WBC roster gathered in Miyazaki for training camp. Yu Darvish - a member of the 2009 WBC champions and the only MLB player to attend the Miyazxaki workouts - organized a pep rally dinner to help deepen relationships between pitchers and fielders, strengthening the team's togetherness. 侍ジャパンの選手たちが決起集会のお店を探しているようです With the WBC domestic players getting ready to meet up again in Miyazaki on 14 February, Google Japan released a commercial last week that included four players discussing if they should meet up for another bonding ritual. Taisei Ota: "Should we have a team gathering again this time?" Kaito Kozono: "We should decide on a restaurant ourselves." Shota Morishita: "I want to eat some good food." Hiroto Takahashi: "Maybe we should reserve a private room?" Morishita: "I'll find a place." (holds up a Google Pixel smartphone) Taisei: "Do you know a place?" Morishita: "I don't know, but Google does." He types in a search query, "Tell me about a good restaurant in Miyazaki where we can eat delicious meat dishes, that can accommodate about 20 people, has a private room, and where we can relax and talk even with people we've never talked to before. Also, a place with really good food." Morishita: "It's AI mode."
Last week, RHP Kaima Taira sustained a left calf injury that was estimated to take 3-4 weeks for recovery. As a result, he has withdrawn from the WBC roster. RHP Shoma Fujihira (Rakuten Eagles) has been called up to replace him. Fujihara's inclusion means that all 12 NPB clubs are now represented on Japan's WBC squad.
dip Corp is a Japan-based company mainly engaged in human resources service business and digital transformation (DX) business. Shohei Ohtani is an ambassador for the brand. Still a free agent in November 2023 after his contract with the Los Angeles Angels had ended and he had yet to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani gave an interview with dip Corp President and CEO Hideki Tomita. Two years later, in November 2025, the two met up again for a second interview. Ohtani's discussed his achievements with the Dodgers, his return to pitching, life after baseball, and the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The interview - conducted in Japanese with English subtitles - was released last week in four parts but I've spliced them together for this 20 minute video.
The national team announced that Hideki Matsui and Yu Darvish will attend the Miyazaki Spring Training Camp 2026 that is set to begin on Saturday. Matsui, whose legendary career began with the Yomiuri Giants and included a successful run with the New York Yankees, will visit Samurai Japan over the two-day weekend (14-15 February), to help boost team morale. Manager Hirokazu Ibata: "This is something I've been asking for ever since I became manager, so I'm very grateful that he's here. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Matsui-san and everyone involved with the Yomiuri Giants." Darvish, a member of both the 2009 and 2023 WBC championship winning teams, will have an advisory role during the entire Miyazaki Camp that will conclude on Tuesday 24 February. "Manager Ibata approached me last October about my surgery and asked if I could be involved in some way. After careful consideration, I have decided to participate in the Miyazaki training camp. I hope to share the experiences I've gained from past tournaments with the players so they can approach the tournament with confidence. I'm grateful to Manager Ibata and Samurai Japan for creating this opportunity."
Tatsuya Imai is part of Team Japan's designated pitcher pool for the World Baseball Classic. If Team Japan needs his services, it would not be until after pool play. GM Dana Brown said Imai will be built up as normal in Astros' camp, but if he goes to the WBC, he'd be a reliever— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 11, 2026 On Tuesday the WBC listed pitchers from each team who would be available for call up after the first round/pool play ends due to workload/injury concerns. Samurai Japan's list: RHP Shoma Fujihira (Rakuten Golden Eagles) RHP Tatsuya Imai (Houston Astros) LHP Yumeto Kanemaru (Chunichi Dragons) LHP Shinnosuke Ogasawara (Washington Nationals) RHP Kazuki Sugiyama (SoftBank Hawks) LHP Chihiro Sumida (Seibu Lions) Fujihira has already joined the main roster following the withdrawal of Kaima Taira on Wednesday. And on Thursday the Hanshin Tigers announced that Daichi Ishii is expected to miss 5-6 months after being wheelchaired off the diamond following left achilles tendon injury. Samurai Japan announced his withdrawal from the roster with his replacement to be determined.
Training camp for the WBC is set to begin with the 21 NPB players on Saturday 14 February in Miyazaki. When will the 9 MLB players join? Manager Hirokazu Ibata had requested to MLB that they be allowed to join by 27-28 February when camp moves to the Vantelin Dome in Nagoya. The topic of when players will be released was discussed during Thursday's Media Day throughout MLB Spring Training sites. Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is scheduled to return to Japan on the 21st and plans on participating in the Miyazaki workouts. "I think I have two more (live BPs) left. I'll pitch here, and then I'll travel if I can." Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto: "I don't know. I don't know. Shohei doesn't know either. We're trying to do what's best for each of them, and we're making adjustments without rushing. (Yamamoto) will face batters in the next few days. I have to talk with (pitching coach) Mark Prior about how he will actually prepare, so I can't say anything specific at this point. I don't know when he will leave to join Team Japan. That and everything else will factor into the plan." Tomoyuki Sugano, who recently agreed a deal with the Colorado Rockies and is rumored to be the starting pitcher against Australia at the WBC: "I pitched the day before yesterday and I'll be pitching again tomorrow. I'm thinking of doing live BP at the beginning of next week. I'd like to do one in Miyazaki, and if possible, one more in Nagoya. I think I'll pitch the first exhibition at Kyocera (against the Orix Buffaloes)." Rockies GM of baseball operations Paul DePodesta: "He's here now, but he'll be returning to Japan in about five days for the WBC. I can't remember exactly how many days, but he'll be here for the next two days." San Diego Padres GM AJ Preller said Yuki Matsui will return to Japan between February 23-28. Munetaka Murakami (Chicago White Sox) and Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs) will likely remain with their teams until late February. They are not expected to be in Japan until February 28 and will likely join for the exhibition against the Orix Buffaloes on March 2.
Chihiro Sumida (Seibu Lions) was officially named to replace the injured Daichi Ishii on Samurai Japan's roster. With the Lions also conducting Spring Camp in Miyazaki,, Sumida and Sosuke Genda left the Lions training facilities Friday evening to meet up with their WBC teammates who have been arriving at Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport (KMI) as Camp opens this weekend.
A throng of media and supporters greeted the arriving players at Miyazaki Airport on Friday evening as Samurai Japan's WBC Spring Camp gets set to begin this weekend. Yu Darvish arrived earlier in the day on a chartered flight.
In 2023 during the first phase workouts in Miyazaki Seiya Suzuki was forced to withdraw from the WBC following an injury. Taisei Makihara (SoftBank Hawks) was called in as the replacement but did not join the team until the third phase of training in Osaka after the MLB players had arrived.. On Friday Yu Darvish posted on twitter. 宮崎に来て最初の夜は牧原大成選手とサシ飯（自分の息子2人付き）。前回大会、牧原選手は大阪から合流して即チームディナーに参加し自分の隣の席でした。… pic.twitter.com/tMV22rgaat— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) February 13, 2026 "On my first night in Miyazaki I had dinner alone with Taisei Makihara (and my two sons). At the last tournament, Makihara joined from Osaka and immediately joined the team dinner, where he was seated next to me. There were so many other players around that we couldn't talk much, and as I'm a pitcher and he's a fielder, we weren't able to talk at all until the end of the tournament. That's something that has been bothering me for three years, so I invited him to go out to dinner, just the two of us. I'm sure it was quite a nuisance for Makihara but he was happy to accept and made it happen. We were able to talk a lot today. It was a great night." Makiuhara described it as a "thoughtful gesture. I was so nervous I didn't know what to say."
In lieu of the MLB players being unavailable, a group of "support players" was brought in to help the WBC team leading up to the tournament. The "support players" participating in Miyazaki who will also play in the exhibitions against the SoftBank Hawks: IF Keisuke Nakata (Seibu Lions) RHP Ryota Itogawa (Seibu Lions) IF Masami Ishigaki (Lotte Marines) LHP Ryunosuke Sato (Hiroshima Carp) IF Dai Yuasa (Yomiuri Giants) IF/OF Raito Nakayama (Yomiuri Giants) Miyazaki Camp, Day 1 highlights Netflix Japan - Full-scale preparations begin toward the main tournament. - Delivering the warm-up scenes of ther players (Hiroto Takahashi, Hiromi Itoh, Taisei Ota, Atsuki Taneichi, Ukyo Shuto, Kensuke Kondoh) - Hideki Matsui visited to offer encouragement, watched the batting practice, and chatted with Teruaki Sato. - Yu Darvish gave advice about the pitch clock and PitchCom. He also talked in depth with Koki Kitayama about the grip for his curveball. Actively reaching out and talking to others from day one -- a very Darvish-like day.
Miyazaki Camp, Day 2 highlights Netflix Japan - Hiroya Miyagi and Seishirō Sakamoto practiced and shared opinions on adjusting to the 15 second pitch clock while pitching coach Atsushi Nohmi and advisor Yu Darvish observe. - While collecting data in the bullpen, Hiromi Itoh asked Yu Darvish about sliders and two-seam fastballs. - Kazunari Ninomiya, Netflix's "special supporter" who is helping with their WBC coverage, toured the bullpen and field as well as interviewing Ukyo Shuto. NOTE: No training workouts scheduled for Monday.
Netflix Japan - Monday was a scheduled rest day but pitchers Ryuhei Sotani, Hiroya Miyagi, Koki Kitayama, Atsuki Taneichi and Hiromi Ito turned up at the stadium to do some throwing and stretching.
Miyazaki Camp, Day 3 highlights Netflix Japan - First day of the second cycle. - Batting practice with Shota Morishita and Kensuke Kondoh simulating real-game situations with intensity gradually increasing.
Miyazaki Camp, Day 4 highlights Netflix Japan - Practicing bunting with Shugo Maki and Taisei Makihara. Maki, who bats in the heart of the BayStars' lineup, had zero sacrifice bunts last season but studies close situations and carefully prepares his plate appearances as he expects to hit in the bottom half of the Samurai order. Every pitch, every hit, they put all their effort into that split second. - Koki Kitayama took the mound for live BP in a simulated format, pitching much closer to actual game conditions, facing real batters. He threw the “two-seam fastball”, checking and confirming the feel of what he learned from Yu Darvish as the team's advisor himself watched.
The online pre-sale for various team souvenirs had ended on February 15 but "by popular demand" will be re-opened shortly after Thursday's workouts begin. Player-name jerseys, towels, and T-shirts now includes coaches and all players including replacement players Shoma Fujihira and Chihiro Sumida as well team advisor Yu Darvish, who has been wearing his 2023 #11 jacket during the Miyazaki workouts. Darvish: "For some reason, mine is included too..." 何故か私のもあるので皆さま是非🙇♂️ https://t.co/AnpThFWloO— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) February 18, 2026