Shohei Ohtani & Japan Return to Miami for WBC Quarterfinal

The Japanese superstar reflects on his past success at loanDepot Park as he leads his team in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal matchup against Venezuela.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:51am

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Shohei Ohtani is back in Miami for the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal round, and the loanDepot Park holds special significance for the Japanese superstar. It was here that he achieved the unprecedented 50-50 club milestone in 2024, and where Japan won the 2023 WBC title. As Ohtani prepares to lead Japan's offense, he is taking a cautious approach to pitching as he continues to build arm strength following elbow surgery in 2025. Japan faces a tough test against Venezuela, who will counter with Ranger Suárez on the mound.

Why it matters

Ohtani's return to Miami is a homecoming of sorts, as the stadium has witnessed some of his greatest baseball achievements. His performance in this WBC quarterfinal will be closely watched, as he aims to guide Japan to another championship while also preparing for the upcoming MLB season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The details

Ohtani completed a four-inning live batting practice session on March 12, 2026, throwing 59 pitches and recording seven strikeouts. He is focusing on hitting in this tournament as he continues to build strength in his arm following surgery. Venezuela will counter with Ranger Suárez, who recently signed a five-year, $130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Manager Omar López plans to limit Suárez to around 60-65 pitches, anticipating approximately four innings of work.

  • On September 19, 2024, Ohtani achieved the unprecedented feat of joining the 50-50 club – hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season.
  • In 2023, loanDepot Park was the site of Japan's victory in the World Baseball Classic, with Ohtani sealing the win with a memorable strikeout of then-teammate Mike Trout.
  • Ohtani completed a four-inning live batting practice session on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A Japanese professional baseball player who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball. He is a two-way player, excelling as both a pitcher and a hitter, and has won multiple MVP awards.

Ranger Suárez

A Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who recently signed a five-year, $130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Omar López

The manager of the Venezuelan national baseball team.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

A Japanese professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers and was the MVP of the 2023 World Series.

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What they’re saying

“I've been progressing with my own adjustments as a pitcher in parallel with the tournament. I think it produced fine results both in volume and quality. I feel like I'm preparing well for the new season.”

— Shohei Ohtani (newsy-today.com)

“They are highly disciplined at the plate but also have their weaknesses. If you want to be champion, you have to demonstrate that you are the best.”

— Omar López, Venezuela Manager (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Japan and Venezuela will advance to the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The takeaway

Shohei Ohtani's return to Miami's loanDepot Park is a homecoming for the Japanese superstar, who has etched his name into the stadium's history with his 50-50 club achievement and Japan's 2023 WBC title. As he leads his team in the quarterfinal round, Ohtani's performance will be closely watched as he continues to build strength for the upcoming MLB season with the Dodgers.