The man who took the mound to start the 2023 WBC Final against Team USA won't be wearing Japan's jersey this time around. The Cubs' GM has revealed it was the team's call, not Imanaga's. Here's how MLB front offices are reshaping the World Baseball Classic.

"Full Spring Training Was Best for Him": The Cubs' Candid Admission

On February 12, 2026, during MLB's annual media day, Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Carter Hawkins addressed reporters about left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga's absence from Team Japan's WBC roster.

According to Hawkins, Imanaga himself wanted to represent Japan. However, the Cubs determined that completing the full spring training camp was in the pitcher's best long-term interest. Hawkins was remarkably candid, stating that the decision was primarily driven by the Cubs organization.

The backdrop is Imanaga's uneven 2025 season. After a brilliant rookie year in 2024 that included an All-Star selection, 15 wins, and a 2.91 ERA, Imanaga suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for nearly two months in his sophomore campaign. He finished with a 9-8 record and 3.73 ERA, and struggled badly down the stretch, surrendering 12 home runs in his final six regular-season starts.

Hawkins identified command and pitch sharpness as the key areas for improvement, noting that when Imanaga's velocity returns and he can attack the upper zone more effectively, the team expects to see the dominant form from his first year.

Imanaga's Own Words: "I'll Quietly Do What I Need to Do"

When Imanaga reported to spring training on February 11, he offered measured comments about the WBC situation, acknowledging there were "things I could control and things I couldn't." He added that he made the best choice after listening to those around him, signaling his acceptance of the Cubs' decision.

The contract situation adds important context. This offseason, both the Cubs and Imanaga declined their respective contract options (a 3-year/$57 million club option and a 1-year/$15.25 million player option). Imanaga then accepted the Cubs' qualifying offer, a one-year deal worth approximately $22 million.

On a one-year contract, Imanaga's 2026 performance will heavily influence his future earning potential. The Cubs naturally prioritized having him in peak condition for the regular season, making WBC participation a risk they weren't willing to take.

Impact on Samurai Japan: A Left-Handed Void

Imanaga's absence creates a significant gap in Japan's pitching rotation. As the starter of the 2023 WBC Final, where he earned the win in Japan's championship victory, his international experience is irreplaceable.

While Japan's 2026 squad boasts a record nine MLB players, Imanaga was the only left-handed starting pitcher with MLB credentials. Yusei Kikuchi (Angels) now shoulders that responsibility alone, creating a potential imbalance in the rotation.

Imanaga isn't the only high-profile absentee. Roki Sasaki (Dodgers), the hard-throwing right-hander who started the 2023 semifinal, also won't participate as the Dodgers prioritize his recovery from a 2025 shoulder injury. Kodai Senga (Mets), another frontline starter, is missing as well.

The Structural Tension Between MLB Teams and National Squads

These absences highlight an inherent friction in international baseball. The WBC represents national pride and competitive honor, but for MLB clubs, it means their most valuable assets, players earning tens of millions of dollars, are competing in a pre-season tournament with real injury risks.

Concerns intensified after the 2023 WBC, when several pitchers reported arm issues following the tournament. This time around, the Dodgers have firmly declared that Shohei Ohtani will participate only as a designated hitter (no pitching), demonstrating how aggressively teams now manage their stars' WBC involvement.

This dynamic isn't unique to baseball. Soccer fans worldwide are familiar with the tension between club and country: Premier League managers have long clashed with national federations over player workload during international windows. But in baseball, where pitching injuries can end careers, the stakes feel even higher.

2026 WBC Outlook: Still a Powerhouse Despite the Gaps

Even without Imanaga, Japan enters the 2026 WBC as defending champions with a formidable roster.

Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) leads the lineup as the designated hitter. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers), coming off a World Series MVP performance, anchors the pitching staff. The batting order features MLB sluggers Munetaka Murakami (White Sox), Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays), and Masataka Yoshida (Red Sox). From NPB, Daiya Ito (Nippon-Ham Fighters) and Atsuki Taneichi (Lotte Marines) bring frontline ability, and fifteen players from the 2023 championship squad return with international experience.

The tournament opens March 5 in Tokyo, where Japan faces Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Australia, and Czech Republic in Pool C. The semifinals and final will be held in Miami, with the championship game scheduled for March 18.

A Question Beyond Baseball

While Imanaga works toward his comeback season in Arizona, Samurai Japan will chase consecutive world titles without him. His situation encapsulates a modern sports dilemma: the pull between club obligations and national duty, between individual career priorities and collective pride.

In your country, do club teams and national teams clash over player availability? How do fans feel when star players skip international tournaments? We'd love to hear your perspective.

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