WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - CHINA VS JAPAN

March 8, 2023

Shohei Ohtani

Tokyo Dome

Team Japan

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. You are representing Team Japan. Now it's time to start for the World Baseball Classic. How do you feel about it right now?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Well, first of all, it's a lot of joy, the first game. Having my team to have a good momentum, I'll do my best.

Q. Your manager, Kuriyamasan, just mentioned that you are going to play as a two-way player tomorrow. How do you feel about it?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Yes, it's my first WBC game tomorrow. I'm expecting that I'll be nervous but I'd like to be as usual but be myself and try not to do any special thing.

Q. You've played as a hitter the other day, but you haven't played as a pitcher. How do you feel? What's your condition as a pitcher and as a hitter?

SHOHEI OHTANI: As a hitter, yes, I had a couple at-bats, and I feel uncomfortable. Back in the States before I came back to Japan, I pitched a couple times, and today, I had a bullpen session. So once the game starts, I'll be all right.

Q. As a pitcher, how do you maximize your power? Are you 100 percent ready as a pitcher?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Yes, I have confidence that I can put all my effort, all my 100 percent. But to be honest, tomorrow will be my first game of 2023, so I'm not for sure how maximized my velocity will be. It all depends on my conditions for tomorrow. But all I can say is try to be well-prepared and do my best.

Q. Skipper Kuriyama mentioned that he put you as a two-way player to bring the team win. For you, what does it mean to be a two-way player?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Yes, that's my play style. Not only pitching, but also hitting, and whenever the team needs me as a two-way player, I'll put all my best, and tomorrow will be the starting point, especially as a pitcher, yes, it's a starting point, as well as a hitter, too.

Q. Tell us about your thought, especially against China tomorrow, and what are your expectations for yourself this tournament?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Well, a lot of opponent team, including Team Japan, has very solid players, and we are going to face against very good players.

The baseball, we have either win or loss, but we'll put all our effort and try to do our best. That's all I can say.

Q. When did manager Kuriyama mention to you that you'll be starting pitcher for tomorrow's opening game, and how did you feel when Kuriyamasan mentioned?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I could not let you know when exactly but a while ago I spoke with him again. He mentioned a while ago that he's going to announce that I will be the starting pitcher for tomorrow.

Q. When you play for the fighters and also the Anaheim Angel, you were the opening pitcher, so it's not the first time ever for you. How do you feel about it, because you have experience in the past.

SHOHEI OHTANI: No matter where I belong to, opening game is something special. I could be nervous, very excited. It is such a big, great tournament. I have a lot of responsibility. To me, I like to enjoy as much as I can the game baseball.

Q. You have a number of pitching limit, up to 65, and this will be your first experience. How do you measure or how do you adjust the pitching limit? Also, since the season, you start throwing the sinker.

SHOHEI OHTANI: Well, probably do not pay attention so much about pitching count. All I can say is focusing on each hitter, focusing on each inning. That will lead the team's momentum. And we have a strong bullpen, as well.

Talking about the sinker, sinker is one of my pitches, so if that will be effective, that will be great.

Q. You made it for the first time ever to the WBC roster and you've been playing for Kuriyamasan for a long time before you went to the WBC. How do you feel about playing for Kuriyama?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I've been saying many, many times repeatedly but he's one of the guys that I've had a long relationship, and yes, I'll be more than happy if we could clinch the tournament with him.

Q. You've been playing baseball for your entire career. Physically, mentally, how do you measure your current condition right now?

SHOHEI OHTANI: For physical, yes, probably the best condition as of now. For the condition, we don't know yet until tomorrow morning's coming, but I can't complain right now. I'm very good.

Q. A couple days ago, you mentioned there's a difference between the premiere 12 and the WBC tournament. How do you feel about the WBC tournament? Also the WBC tournament is not the tournament to designate who is No. 1 but the past four tournaments, so the so many real superstars, baseball athletes play in the WBC. How do you expect the tournament, the future of the tournament of the WBC?

SHOHEI OHTANI: It's simple: If we can clinch the WBC tournament, then the world will evaluate the champion as a No. 1 ranking, that makes it very simple. At the fifth annual WBC tournament, we have a lot of great athletes, so I am so happy.

Q. Since Suzuki missed the tournament, he also mentioned to say hi and take care of Nothbaar. What's the chemistry in the dugout?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Even without me, Mr. Nothbaar has great talent, personality, so I have no worry about him. The more fans cheering for Nothbaar, that will bring him extra effort, energy. So please for the fans, please cheer Nothbaar as much as you can. Me personally, I have no worry about Mr. Nothbaar.