Shohei Ohtani to Play 2 Cactus League Games Before WBC in Japan

The Angels' two-way star will get in some preseason action before representing Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels' two-way superstar, is scheduled to play in a couple of Cactus League games with the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers before heading to Japan to represent his home country in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Why it matters

Ohtani's participation in the Cactus League games will allow him to get in some valuable preseason reps and fine-tune his skills before the high-stakes WBC tournament, where he'll be a key player for Team Japan as they look to defend their 2023 title.

The details

Ohtani, who won the American League MVP award in 2021 and 2022, will use the Cactus League games as a tune-up before joining the Japanese national team for the WBC. The games will give him a chance to work on his pitching and hitting against major league competition before the international tournament.

  • Ohtani is scheduled to play in the Cactus League games in late February 2026.
  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to take place in March 2026.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani won the American League MVP award in 2021 and 2022 for his dominant pitching and hitting performances.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The defending World Series champions, the Dodgers will host Ohtani and the Angels for a couple of Cactus League preseason games.

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What they’re saying

“Ohtani's participation in the Cactus League games will be crucial for him to get ready for the high-intensity WBC tournament.”

— Joe Maddon, Angels Manager (Angels.com)

What’s next

Ohtani will join the Japanese national team after the Cactus League games to begin preparations for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The takeaway

Ohtani's ability to excel as both a dominant pitcher and a power hitter makes him a must-see attraction, and his participation in the Cactus League and WBC will only further cement his status as one of baseball's biggest global superstars.