Dodgers Embrace Global Spotlight While Managing Risk as Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki Head to the WBC
In an era when franchises increasingly guard their stars with meticulous caution, the Los Angeles Dodgers are taking a different approach. They are leaning into the global stage — and the inherent risks that come with it — by supporting Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki as they prepare to represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
The decision wasn’t automatic. Inside the organization, discussions centered around workload, recovery timelines, and the undeniable pressure placed on players who carry both national expectations and franchise hopes. Ohtani’s physical limits after surgery, Yamamoto’s transition to MLB workloads and Sasaki’s youth all factored heavily into deliberations.
Yet the Dodgers arrived at a unified stance: trust the players, trust the process, and trust the value of competing on the world stage.
Team officials emphasized that representing Japan is more than a tournament appearance — it is a cultural and emotional milestone for the trio, who grew up watching the WBC shape the modern baseball identity of their country. For Ohtani, the event is a symbol of pride and legacy. For Yamamoto, it’s a reaffirmation of his rise to global stardom. For Sasaki, the youngest of the group, it is a proving ground.
The organization recognizes that these moments matter.
Still, the concerns are real. The Dodgers’ season hinges heavily on the health and performance of their Japanese stars. Ohtani remains the most captivating two-way figure in the sport, even as he recovers from pitching restrictions. Yamamoto is expected to anchor the rotation. Sasaki’s future — whether immediate or eventual — could reshape the franchise’s long-term trajectory.
Losing even one of them to injury would change the complexion of the entire 2025 campaign.
But the Dodgers believe the benefits outweigh the risks. Their sports performance staff has collaborated with Team Japan to create monitored workloads and real-time reporting. This partnership approach, rather than a restrictive one, may actually reduce stress and build trust in the long run.
For fans, the emotions are conflicted. Many take pride in seeing their stars on the world stage, generating global excitement rarely seen in the sport. Others carry the lingering fear of déjà vu — memories of players returning from international duty less than whole.
Inside the clubhouse, however, the message is supportive. Teammates view the WBC as a chance for Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki to sharpen their competitive edges ahead of a grueling season. Veterans praise the value of playing high-intensity baseball in March, noting that it often accelerates readiness in ways spring training cannot replicate.
The Dodgers, more than most franchises, understand that their identity extends beyond the boundaries of MLB. They are a global brand. Their stars carry global influence. Supporting the WBC is part of embracing that reality.
The gamble is calculated, but it is still a gamble.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes — in Los Angeles, in Japan, and across baseball — will focus on the trio whose health and performance could shape not just a nation’s hopes, but an entire franchise’s future.
For now, the Dodgers’ stance is clear: let them play.
And hope that when they return, they bring back not only pride — but momentum.
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