Two-way star Shohei Ohtani said Thursday he wants to play for Team Japan at next year's World Baseball Classic.
The Los Angeles Angels star took to Instagram to say he has contacted Team Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama to tell him of his desire to play in the tournament for the first time in his career.
"Looking forward for the opportunity to face the best players around the world and to be able to play in front of the Japanese fans for the first time in over 5 years!!" Ohtani wrote.
Taichung, Tokyo, Phoenix and Miami are the four host cities of the World Baseball Classic.