World Baseball Classic: Japan

World Baseball Classic: Japan

Japan's Chihiro Sumida is pictured in Miami, Florida, on March 15, 2026, prior to departing for Japan following the team's loss to Venezuela in a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game.

World Baseball Classic: Venezuela vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Venezuela vs. Japan

Japan left-hander Chihiro Sumida allows a two-run home run to Venezuela's Maikel Garcia in the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 14, 2026.

World Baseball Classic: Venezuela vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Venezuela vs. Japan

Japan left-hander Chihiro Sumida allows a two-run home run to Venezuela's Maikel Garcia in the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 14, 2026.

World Baseball Classic: Venezuela vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Venezuela vs. Japan

Japan left-hander Chihiro Sumida pitches in a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Venezuela at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 14, 2026.

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan left-hander Chihiro Sumida pitches in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan left-hander Chihiro Sumida pitches in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan left-hander Chihiro Sumida pitches in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan left-hander Chihiro Sumida pitches in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan left-hander Chihiro Sumida pitches in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

World Baseball Classic: Australia vs. Japan

Japan left-hander Chihiro Sumida pitches in a World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Australia at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 8, 2026. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Japan's WBC training

Baseball: Japan's WBC training

Seibu Lions left-hander Chihiro Sumida plays catch during the Japan national baseball team's training camp in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 14, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March.

Baseball: Premier12

Baseball: Premier12

Japan's Chihiro Sumida throws against Taiwan in the final of the Premier12 baseball tournament at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Nov. 24, 2024.

Baseball: NPB draft

Baseball: NPB draft

Seibu Lions team executive Mitsuo Iida (L) reacts after winning the right to negotiate with Nishinippon Institute of Technology pitcher Chihiro Sumida during the Nippon Professional Baseball draft at a Tokyo hotel on Oct. 11, 2021. (Pool photo)