Otani says he won't pitch in World Baseball Classic (Yahoo Sports)

Shohei Otani will not pitch for Japan in next month's World Baseball Classic because of injury, although he may still hit. Since helping the Nippon Ham Fighters win the Japan Series last fall, the 22-year-old Otani has been struggling to recover from soreness in his right ankle. It's unfortunate but I won't be able to pitch in the WBC,'' said Otani, who is in Arizona where the Fighters are holding a spring camp.