Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami is pictured during fielding practice at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026, as he trains independently of the team. He will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami plays catch at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026, as he trains independently of the team. He will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami is pictured during fielding practice at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026, as he trains independently of the team. He will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami takes fielding practice at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026, as he trains independently of the team. He will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani smiles as he walks to a field at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026, to train independently of the team. Ohtani will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March, ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani smiles as he walks to a field at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026, to train independently of the team. Ohtani will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March, ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto is pictured at the club's training facility before the start of a session training independently of the team in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026. He will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto trains independently at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026. He will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto plays catch at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026, as he trains independently of the team. He will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani (R)plays catch at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026, as he trains independently of the team. He will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani plays catch at the club's facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 9, 2026, as he trains independently of the team. He will play for Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic in March ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami takes fielding practice at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 8, 2026, training independently for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before the team's spring camp for position players opens on Feb. 15.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami takes fielding practice at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 8, 2026, training independently for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before the team's spring camp for position players opens on Feb. 15.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami takes fielding practice at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 8, 2026, training independently for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before the team's spring camp for position players opens on Feb. 15.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani is pictured during a workout at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026. Ohtani made an early start to preseason by training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out at the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 5, 2026, training independently in preparation for the new MLB campaign and the upcoming World Baseball Classic before his club's camp opens on Feb. 13.

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata speaks to journalists in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, after announcing an additional 10 members for defending champion Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, including Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses for a photo in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, after announcing an additional 10 members for defending champion Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, including Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata speaks to journalists in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, after announcing an additional 10 members for defending champion Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, including Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses for a photo in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, after announcing an additional 10 members for defending champion Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, including Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 16 Kyodo - Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning manager Hideki Kuriyama speaks at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026, after being inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. (Kyodo)

World Baseball Classic

World Baseball Classic

Shohei Ohtani (front, R) and his teammates, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto (L), celebrate after defeating the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic final at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 21, 2023.

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning manager Hideki Kuriyama poses for a photo at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026, after being inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. (Pool photo)

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning manager Hideki Kuriyama poses for a photo at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026, after being inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. (Pool photo)

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning manager Hideki Kuriyama poses for a photo at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026, after being inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. (Pool photo)

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning manager Hideki Kuriyama signs an autograph at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026, after being inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. (Pool photo)

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning manager Hideki Kuriyama signs an autograph at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026, after being inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. (Pool photo)

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Baseball: Kuriyama inducted into Japanese Hall of Fame

Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic-winning manager Hideki Kuriyama speaks at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo on Jan. 15, 2026, after being inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

HANAMAKI, Japan, Dec. 29 Kyodo - Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi gives an interview at the King of the Hill indoor baseball training gym built by him near his alma mater Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. Kikuchi plans to play for Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic team. (Kyodo)

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi gives an interview at the King of the Hill indoor baseball training gym built by him near his alma mater Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. Kikuchi plans to play for Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic team.

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi gives an interview at the King of the Hill indoor baseball training gym built by him near his alma mater Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. Kikuchi plans to play for Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic team.

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi gives an interview at the King of the Hill indoor baseball training gym built by him near his alma mater Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. Kikuchi plans to play for Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic team.

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi gives an interview at the King of the Hill indoor baseball training gym built by him near his alma mater Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. Kikuchi plans to play for Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic team.

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Interview with Angels pitcher Kikuchi

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi gives an interview at the King of the Hill indoor baseball training gym built by him near his alma mater Hanamaki Higashi High School in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. Kikuchi plans to play for Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic team.

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (C) meets the press in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (C) meets the press in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

The manager of Japan's national baseball team, Hirokazu Ibata, poses for a photo in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing eight of the members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March.

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

The manager of Japan's national baseball team, Hirokazu Ibata, announces eight of the members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March on Dec. 26, 2025, in Tokyo.

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Japan's national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata announces eight members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March on Dec. 26, 2025, in Tokyo.

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

The manager of Japan's national baseball team, Hirokazu Ibata, announces eight of the members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March on Dec. 26, 2025, in Tokyo.

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

The manager of Japan's national baseball team, Hirokazu Ibata, announces eight of the members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March on Dec. 26, 2025, in Tokyo.

Baseball: Dominican Republic manager Pujols

Baseball: Dominican Republic manager Pujols

Albert Pujols, manager of the Dominican Republic team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, meets the press in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 9, 2025.

Baseball: U.S. manager DeRosa meets press

Baseball: U.S. manager DeRosa meets press

Mark DeRosa, manager of the U.S. team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, meets the press in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 9, 2025.