TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 07: Manager Hirokazu Ibata #89 of Team Japan is introduced prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 07: Shohei Ohtani #16 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 South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 07: Jung Hoo Lee #22 of Team Republic of Korea lines up prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 07: Jung Hoo Lee #22 of Team Republic of Korea fist bumps with teammates prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 07: Manager Ji-Hyun Ryu #6 of Team Republic of Korea looks on prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 07: Jung Hoo Lee #22 of Team Republic of Korea walks out to the field with mascots as he is introduced prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 07: National flags of Japan and South Korea prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

Japan's Shohei Ohtani warms up prior to the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool C game between Japan and South Korea at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP via Getty Images)