TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan bumps fists with Manager Hirokazu Ibata #89 prior to during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan looks on prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan looks on prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Kazuma Okamoto #25 of Team Japan walks out to the field with mascots as he is introduced prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Masataka Yoshida #34 of Team Japan prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of Team Japan is introduced prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Yusei Kikuchi #17 of Team Japan is introduced prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of Team Japan is introduced prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)