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.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (C) takes part in a photo session during preseason training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 4, 2026.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani works out during preseason training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 4, 2026.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani smiles during preseason training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 4, 2026.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani plays catch during preseason training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 4, 2026

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani is pictured during preseason training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 4, 2026.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (C) chats with teammates during preseason training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 4, 2026.

Baseball: MLB training

Baseball: MLB training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani plays catch during preseason training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 4, 2026.

Baseball: Padres GM Preller

Baseball: Padres GM Preller

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller meets the press during a fan event at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Baseball: Shohei Ohtani

Baseball: Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani meets the press during a fan event at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 2026.

Baseball: Roki Sasaki

Baseball: Roki Sasaki

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki meets the press during a fan event at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 2026.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, an avid fan of the Hanshin Tigers pro baseball team, holds a tiger-shaped charm during a campaign rally in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

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: Marines vs. Hawks

Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Gregory Polanco of the Lotte Marines hits a three-run homer in the first inning of a Pacific League baseball game against the SoftBank Hawks at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on May 2, 2025.

Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Baseball: Marines vs. Hawks

Gregory Polanco of the Lotte Marines hits a three-run homer in the first inning of a Pacific League baseball game against the SoftBank Hawks at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on May 2, 2025.

Baseball: Swallows vs. Lions

Baseball: Swallows vs. Lions

Tyler Nevin of the Seibu Lions hits an RBI single in the first inning of an interleague baseball game against the Yakult Swallows at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on June 4, 2025.

Baseball: Orix vs. Lions

Baseball: Orix vs. Lions

Steven Moya of the Orix Buffaloes hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Seibu Lions at MetLife Dome in Tokorozawa in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Oct. 17, 2020.

Ohtani attends BBWAA dinner party

Ohtani attends BBWAA dinner party

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani attends a dinner party hosted by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America in New York on Jan. 24, 2026.

Ohtani attends BBWAA dinner party

Ohtani attends BBWAA dinner party

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani attends a dinner party hosted by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America in New York on Jan. 24, 2026.

Baseball: Fighters vs. Lions

Baseball: Fighters vs. Lions

Seibu Lions right-hander Kona Takahashi pitches in a Pacific League baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, eastern Japan, on July 17, 2025.

Baseball: Lions vs. Eagles

Baseball: Lions vs. Eagles

Manaya Nishikawa of the Seibu Lions hits a solo home run during the sixth inning of a Pacific League baseball game against the Rakuten Eagles at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi in Sendai, northeastern Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Baseball: NL Championship Series between Brewers and Dodgers

Baseball: NL Championship Series between Brewers and Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani reacts after Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers lines into a double play in the third inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 17, 2025.

Baseball: Rays vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Rays vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run, his 41st of the season, in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Aug. 24, 2024.

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)

Baseball: Padres vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Padres vs. Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on June 16, 2025. Ohtani pitched in an MLB game for the first time since August 2023 and made his first mound appearance in Dodger blue, following right elbow surgery in September 2023.

Baseball: All-Star red carpet

Baseball: All-Star red carpet

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and his wife Mamiko walk on the red carpet during a Major League Baseball event ahead of the All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 15, 2025.

Baseball: MLB Tokyo Series

Baseball: MLB Tokyo Series

Composite time-lapse photo shows Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting a solo home run, his first of the season, during the second game of MLB's two-game, season-opening Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome on March 19, 2025.

Baseball: Mets vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Mets vs. Dodgers

Composite time-lapse photo shows Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting a two-run home run in a baseball game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 21, 2024. The 176th home run of his major league career broke a tie with Hideki Matsui for the most by a Japanese-born player.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Marlins

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Marlins

Shohei Ohtani (17) of the Los Angeles Dodgers acknowledges the crowd after becoming the first Major League Baseball player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season during a game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on Sept. 19, 2024.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Marlins

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Marlins

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a two-run home run, his 50th homer of the season, in the seventh inning of a game against the Miami Marlins on Sept. 19, 2024, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida. He became the first Major League Baseball player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.

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.

[Breaking News]Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 11 Kyodo - Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season. (Kyodo)

Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season.

Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season.

Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season.

Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season.