Yoshinobu Yamamoto, MVP of the 2025 World Series, confirmed that he will be with the Japanese national team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Yamamoto is coming off being the Dodgers' postseason hero and having one of his best campaigns this year.

The Japanese right-hander had a 12-8 record with a 2.49 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 30 appearances in 2025. He won his first World Series MVP award and his second World Series title.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was an essential part of the Japanese team that won the 2023 World Baseball Classic with a rotation that also included Yu Darvish, Roki Sasaki, and Shohei Ohtani.

In that edition, Yamamoto pitched 7.1 innings, allowing 2 earned runs, with a 2.45 ERA and 12 strikeouts.

Only Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani pitched more innings in that tournament.

Ohtani pitched three games, including closing against the United States in the 2023 final.

Roki Sasaki will not go to the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Sasaki, for his part, will not attend the tournament in March due to injuries and the adaptation process he went through in 2025.

Sasaki had a 1-1 record with a 4.46 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 10 appearances in 2025. The Japanese right-hander finished as the team's closer during the postseason.

Although the Dodgers' general management's idea is for him to return to his starting role alongside Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Shohei Ohtani.

The Dodgers have already secured their closer with the signing of Edwin Diaz for the next three seasons.

Sasaki had two starts in the 2026 World Baseball Classic In 2023, they had a 1-0 record, 7.2 innings pitched, 3 earned runs allowed, a 3.52 ERA, and 11 strikeouts.

Japan is looking to repeat as champions and further solidify their position as the team with the most World Baseball Classic titles.