Shohei Ohtani is in excellent form preparing for the Classic Series and shares his anticipation for the Los Angeles Olympics: looking forward to top-tier players gathering together.

Shohei Ohtani, the two-way talent from the Los Angeles Dodgers, gave an interview today at the Dodgers’ spring training base, offering his initial thoughts on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He feels that having MLB’s top players compete for their national teams would greatly benefit the growth of baseball.

Ohtani is currently training in Glendale, Arizona, preparing for the new season and the upcoming Classic Series. During practice, he fully engages in his two-way role, pitching live on the mound as well as taking batting practice outdoors. After training, Ohtani spoke with the media about his current physical condition and the topic of baseball’s return to the Olympics, sharing his perspective on the participation of elite players in international competitions.

Regarding whether MLB’s top players will be allowed to compete in the 2028 Olympics, Ohtani holds a positive and hopeful view. He pointed out that if key players from each team can represent their countries, it would undoubtedly be fantastic for promoting baseball. Ohtani stated, “If players are willing to participate, that would be wonderful. Although it’s still unclear which players will ultimately compete, having such a competitive framework in place is, in my opinion, very valuable for the sport.”

Beyond the Olympics, Ohtani also discussed his current preparations for the Classic Series. After the triumph of winning the 2023 Classic, his enthusiasm for representing his country in international events is evident. Although the 2028 Olympics are still two years away and the specific participation details for MLB players have yet to be finalized, Ohtani’s remarks as one of the most influential figures in professional baseball today undoubtedly inject confidence into MLB players’ potential Olympic involvement and have sparked great excitement about baseball’s presence at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.