New Classic Game Rule: MLB Position Players Prohibited from Pitching; Shohei Ohtani Must Obtain "Prior Approval" to Pitch

The WBC World Baseball Classic announced the tournament regulations on March 6, continuing the restrictions on "position players pitching" from the previous edition. Shohei Ohtani, the two-way star of the Los Angeles Dodgers registered as a designated hitter for this tournament, will not be allowed to pitch unless he receives prior approval from the event committee.

According to the tournament rules, position players (players other than pitchers) affiliated with MLB or its minor league teams are "prohibited from pitching unless the event's operational technical committee grants prior approval for the player to pitch in the tournament for their participating team."

Since Shohei Ohtani is registered as a designated hitter for this tournament, if Japan's Samurai team intends to have him pitch, they must submit an application to the Classic's operational technical committee beforehand and obtain approval.

However, even though the rules provide an avenue for application, Ohtani has already publicly stated that he will "focus on his role as a hitter" for this tournament. Therefore, the likelihood of triggering this special approval process and having Ohtani take the mound is extremely low.