Shohei Ohtani could work as closer if Japan reaches World Baseball Classic championship

Ohtani told the media from Japan on Sunday that he could be eligible for bullpen work if Team Japan makes it to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic.

"I don't think there's a chance of me starting, but of course I'd like to prepare to pitch in relief," Ohtani said in Japanese to reporters, via the 'Los Angeles Times.'  "That will depend on my physical condition...[t]his is the end of the end. From here, I'd like to have a discussion with my body and make a decision."

Despite the fact that he is still essentially prepping for the regular season, Ohtani has been downright dominant during World Baseball Classic play. Earlier in the tournament, the two-way star threw a 102 MPH fastball against Italy, the fastest pitch he has ever thrown in a professional game.

On the whole during the WBC, Ohtani has pitched 8.2 innings while striking out 10 and walking only one batter. He holds a 2.08 ERA.

Ohtani, perhaps the most unique MLB player in modern memory has only managed to improve each season since transitioning over to the bigs in 2018. He won the American League MVP outright two years back and landed as runner-up for the award during the 2022 season. Ohtani also finished fourth in the American League Cy Young voting for his work last summer.

A pending free agent after the 2023 season, Ohtani has a chance to become the game's first $500 million player. He is not only a top-five starting pitcher in baseball, he is also one of the league's best left-handed power hitters. He is two superstars in one player.

For one game, at least he might have a chance to add a third line to that two-line resume: as a potential closer in an international tournament.

In order for the Ohtani-as-closer possibility to play out, Japan must defeat Mexico in the semifinals. Should they advance, the spector of a possible matchup with Team USA looms, opening the door for the possibility that we could see Ohtani face off with fellow superstar Mike Trout, his longtime Los Angeles Angeles teammate.