Shohei Ohtani of Team Japan at bat in the first inning against Team USA during the World Baseball Classic Championship at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 21, 2023. Eric Espada/Getty Images Los Angeles AP —

Shohei Ohtani plans to play for Japan in next year’s World Baseball Classic, the two-way Los Angeles Dodgers star announced on social media Monday night.

Ohtani helped Japan win the 2023 WBC, striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out of the championship game against the United States. He was named MVP of the tournament.

Ohtani won his fourth MVP award this month, shortly after he helped the Dodgers win their second straight World Series title. He returned to the mound this season after not pitching in 2024 while recovering from

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