National team baseball manager Hirokazu Ibata has said he will step down following Japan’s loss to Venezuela 8-5 in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic.

Japanese star Seiya Suzuki limped off the field during a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Venezuela. Here's what to know about his status.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, the MVP of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, takes partial responsibility for Japan's early exit from this year's WBC, despite posting better stats than last time.

Team Japan was widely considered among the favorites to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic after defeating Team USA for the tournament championship in 2023. Armed with the reigning National League MVP (Shohei Ohtani) and starting the reigning World

The Shohei Ohtani-led Japan squad attempts to punch their ticket to the World Baseball Classic semifinals.

The large contingent of reporters, perhaps 100 in all, waited behind a rope in the mixed zone in the corridor of loanDepot Park, and at 1:31 a.m., Shohei Ohtani came out of the door and stopped to talk.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic has seen favorites Japan eliminated and MLB star Ronald Acuña Jr. had a lot to say after Venezuela's win. Acuña Jr. and his Venezuela are on track for a historic finish at this year's WBC after never placing top four in the previous five editions.

Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata makes an unexpected announcement hours after loss to Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.