Dodgers Announce $700M Ohtani Pitching Deal After Early WBC Exit

Superstar Shohei Ohtani continues preparing for another MVP-caliber season with the Dodgers.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:50pm

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced a record-breaking $700 million contract extension with star player Shohei Ohtani, just days after his early exit from the World Baseball Classic with Team Japan. Despite not pitching in the WBC, Ohtani has been diligently preparing for the upcoming MLB season, with Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior reporting that the two-way player's velocity is already in the mid-90s during bullpen sessions.

Why it matters

Ohtani's dual role as both a dominant pitcher and power hitter makes him one of the most valuable players in baseball. The Dodgers' massive investment in keeping him in Los Angeles underscores his importance to their continued success, as they aim for a third straight World Series title.

The details

Ohtani, who broke his own home run record at Dodger Stadium last season, will return to a full workload as both a pitcher and hitter for the Dodgers in 2023. The team plans to carefully manage his transition back to game action after he did not pitch in the WBC, but Ohtani's bullpen sessions have shown no signs of any setbacks, with his velocity already reaching the mid-90s.

  • Ohtani broke his own home run record at Dodger Stadium last season.
  • Team Japan suffered an early loss to Venezuela in the WBC quarterfinals on March 11, 2026.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way superstar player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, known for his dominant pitching and power hitting.

Mark Prior

The pitching coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, overseeing Ohtani's preparation for the upcoming MLB season.

Doug McKain

A writer for the Dodgers fan site DodgersNation.

Jorge Castillo

A reporter for ESPN covering the World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“Shohei Ohtani just broke his own record by hitting his 29th home run at Dodger Stadium this season. The previous record was the 28 homers he hit in his first year with LA. Shohei Ohtani is putting the finishing touches on another unanimous MVP.”

— Doug McKain, Writer, DodgersNation

“Venezuela, a country steeped in baseball tradition, made history on two fronts Saturday night when its national team defeated Japan 8-5 in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals at LoanDepot Park. With the win over the defending WBC champions, Venezuela not only advanced to face Italy on Monday in its first WBC semifinals appearance, but it also qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, marking the first time the nation will participate in the Olympic baseball tournament.”

— Jorge Castillo, Reporter, ESPN

“Obviously, he's not in real spring training, Cactus League games. But he is getting the volume and the workload, and I think the intensity, the most he can get out of it, is showing up in the velocity. He's in the mid-90s. Everything is tracking from where he left. So I think from that standpoint, we've probably got the best possible outcome for what he's trying to accomplish in the midst of this tournament.”

— Mark Prior, Pitching Coach, Los Angeles Dodgers

What’s next

The Dodgers plan to carefully ease Ohtani back into game action as he prepares for the upcoming MLB season, ensuring he is fully healthy and ready to contribute at a high level as both a pitcher and hitter.

The takeaway

Ohtani's early exit from the WBC has not derailed his preparation for the Dodgers, as the team has locked him up with a record-breaking $700 million contract extension. The Dodgers' commitment to Ohtani underscores his immense value as a two-way superstar, and their ability to manage his workload will be crucial to their pursuit of a third straight World Series championship.