When the news broke that Seibu Lions ace Tatsuya Imai was posted, many Major League fans had one question: Would he also want to join the Dodgers? After all, not only is Los Angeles arguably the closest flight back to Japan,

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani announced that he will play Japan next year as Japan looks to defend its World Baseball Classic title.

On Monday night, Ohtani announced on Instagram that he will participate again in the World Baseball Classic. He first thanked Dodgers fans in a graphic, and on the final page of the slideshow revealed that he would play for Japan in the 2026 tournament.

Top Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai crushed Dodgers fans’ hearts with his recent comment about potentially joining the LA team.

Still just 30 years old, Cody Bellinger has been a National League MVP, a World Series champion and has played admirably for three of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball: The Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. And still, he hasn’t found a permanent home.

Los Angeles Dodgers vice president of scouting David Finley has won seven World Series, more than any scout in MLB history.

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will play for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic as the country looks to defend their 2023 title.

Will the Los Angeles Dodgers sign another expensive closer, and will it come at the expense of their National League West foes?