TOKYO (AP) — This is the Shohei Ohtani effect. Ohtani put on a giant show in batting practice hours before he hit a grand slam in the second inning — in the first he doubled on the first pitch of the game but didn’t score — as Japan hammered Taiwan 13-0 in Pool C at the World Baseball Classic.

The United States advanced to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic with a 5-3 win over Canada at Daikin Park in Houston on Friday night. Will Smith, who has been splitting catching duties with Cal Raleigh,

While participating – but not pitching – in the WBC with Team Japan, Ohtani has continued to progress with bullpen sessions and even a four-inning simulated game.

Shohei Ohtani is busy leading the way for the Japanese lineup at the World Baseball Classic -- but the two-way superstar is also getting ready for the 2026 MLB season as a pitcher. Ohtani threw a four

It all comes down to this — the final game of the 2025 MLB season. The World Series is tied 3–3. Both the Dodgers and the Blue Jays have shown incredible grit to get here, but the storylines couldn’t be more different. For the Dodgers, everything ...

Shohei Ohtani is heading into his first full season as a pitcher since having a second career Tommy John surgery.