Ahead of the “2026 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC™” which begins in March 2026, Samurai Japan has made a significant roster change. Yuki Matsui (Padres), who was expected to represent Japan, has withdrawn due to conditioning issues, and Chunichi left-hander Yumeto Kanemaru has been called up as a replacement (both announced by Samurai Japan’s official channels).
After completing tune-up games in Miyazaki, the team will move to “RAXUS Samurai Japan Series 2026 Nagoya”. While playing a two-game set against the Chunichi Dragons at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, Samurai Japan enters its final phase of preparation for the main tournament. Below is a compact recap of the updated roster, what Kanemaru’s selection means, and the upcoming schedule.
1. Yuki Matsui withdraws due to conditioning issues—painful, but a manageable hit
According to the Samurai Japan official site, left-handed ace candidate Yuki Matsui (San Diego Padres) has withdrawn from the WBC due to conditioning issues. The decision prioritizes long-term health management with the tournament in mind.
Matsui was a key late-inning arm in Japan’s 2023 championship run and was widely viewed as a critical piece again. It’s a clear loss, but
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers)
- Yusei Kikuchi (Angels)
- Hiroya Miyagi (Orix Buffaloes)
- Taisei (Yomiuri Giants)
- Tomoyuki Sugano (Rockies)
and other pitchers with international experience are already in the group, so it’s also true that this doesn’t rise to the level of “the pitching staff collapsing.”
2. Who is call-up Yumeto Kanemaru? The “No.1 college lefty” joins the national team
Chosen as Matsui’s replacement is Chunichi Dragons left-hander Yumeto Kanemaru. According to Samurai Japan’s official site and NPB’s player directory, the Hyogo-born lefty has the following profile:
- Born February 1, 2003 (23 years old)
- Height 177 cm / Weight 78 kg
- Throws left / Bats left
- Shinko Tachibana HS → Kansai University → Chunichi Dragons (2024 Draft 1st round)
He was widely labeled the “No.1 college lefty,” posting dominant results in league play. After turning pro, he has already shown impact:
- Cracked the rotation as a rookie and delivered stable pitching with an ERA in the low-2s
- A fastball reaching the mid-150 km/h range plus a diverse mix of breaking pitches
With this addition, Samurai Japan’s pitching staff gains a fresh left-handed starter candidate.
3. Roster check: Shohei Ohtani is listed as “Designated Hitter”
According to Samurai Japan’s official “expected players” list, the WBC Japan roster (top team) as of February 26 is as follows.
Pitchers (selected)
| No. | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Hiroya Miyagi | Orix Buffaloes |
| 14 | Hiromi Itoh | Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters |
| 15 | Taisei | Yomiuri Giants |
| 17 | Yusei Kikuchi | Los Angeles Angels |
| 18 | Yoshinobu Yamamoto | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 19 | Tomoyuki Sugano | Colorado Rockies |
| 22 | Tomichiro Sumida | Saitama Seibu Lions |
| 24 | Yumeto Kanemaru | Chunichi Dragons |
| 26 | Atsuki Taneichi | Chiba Lotte Marines |
| 28 | Hiroto Takahashi | Chunichi Dragons |
| 46 | Naomasa Fujihira | Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles |
| 47 | Ryuhei Sotani | Orix Buffaloes |
| 57 | Koki Kitayama | Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters |
| 66 | Yuki Matsumoto | Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks |
Catchers / Infielders / Outfielders / Designated Hitter (selected)
| Position | No. | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 4 | Kenya Wakatsuki | Orix Buffaloes |
| C | 12 | Seishiro Sakamoto | Hanshin Tigers |
| C | 27 | Yuhei Nakamura | Tokyo Yakult Swallows |
| IF | 2 | Shugo Maki | Yokohama DeNA BayStars |
| IF | 3 | Kaito Kozono | Hiroshima Toyo Carp |
| IF | 5 | Taisei Makihara | Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks |
| IF | 6 | Sosuke Genda | Saitama Seibu Lions |
| IF | 7 | Teruaki Sato | Hanshin Tigers |
| IF | 25 | Kazuma Okamoto | Toronto Blue Jays |
| IF | 55 | Munetaka Murakami | Chicago White Sox |
| OF | 8 | Kensuke Kondo | Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks |
| OF | 20 | Ukyo Shuto | Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks |
| OF | 23 | Shota Morishita | Hanshin Tigers |
| OF | 34 | Masataka Yoshida | Boston Red Sox |
| OF | 51 | Seiya Suzuki | Chicago Cubs |
| DH | 16 | Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Dodgers |
The balance is 14 pitchers, 3 catchers, 6 infielders, 4 outfielders, and 1 designated hitter. The pitching staff is built with options across roles—starters, middle relief, and closer candidates—on both sides. Shohei Ohtani is listed as “designated hitter only” for this tournament.
4. From the Nagoya Series to the Tokyo Pool: Tune-ups and WBC schedule
After the two-game set vs the Hawks in Miyazaki, Samurai Japan will play two games vs the Chunichi Dragons at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in late February, then move into the official Tokyo Pool tune-up games → First Round (per the Samurai Japan official schedule).
Key dates (Japan games only)
| Date | Game | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Feb 27, 19:00 | Samurai Japan vs Chunichi Dragons | Vantelin Dome Nagoya |
| Sat, Feb 28, 19:00 | Chunichi Dragons vs Samurai Japan | Vantelin Dome Nagoya |
| Mon, Mar 2, 19:00 | Orix Buffaloes vs Japan (Tune-up) | Kyocera Dome Osaka |
| Tue, Mar 3, 19:00 | Hanshin Tigers vs Japan (Tune-up) | Kyocera Dome Osaka |
| Fri, Mar 6, 19:00 | Chinese Taipei vs Japan (First Round) | Tokyo Dome |
| Sat, Mar 7, 19:00 | Japan vs Korea (First Round) | Tokyo Dome |
| Sun, Mar 8, 19:00 | Japan vs Australia (First Round) | Tokyo Dome |
| Tue, Mar 10, 19:00 | Japan vs Czechia (First Round) | Tokyo Dome |
If Japan advances out of the Tokyo Pool, the format proceeds to the quarterfinals → semifinals → final. From the semifinals onward, some games may be held overseas, making travel and time-zone adaptation part of a demanding schedule.
5. Three “must-watch” points for fans
- ① Rebuilding the left-handed pitching plan
With Matsui out, how will roles be divided among lefties like Miyagi, Kikuchi, and Kanemaru? - ② The presence of Chunichi players
The Nagoya tune-ups are a major showcase for Hiroto Takahashi & Kanemaru—two potential “Dragons double-ace” arms. - ③ Condition of the core hitters
How do the MLB group—Masataka Yoshida, Seiya Suzuki, and Shohei Ohtani—look? Watch the quality of at-bats and any defensive opportunities.
Related X posts & Official YouTube
Team Japan’s camp and tune-up coverage is also widely shared via official X and the official YouTube channel—great for capturing the “feel” of the preparations.
1) Post announcing Kanemaru’s call-up (Chunichi-related account)
2) Free batting by Masataka Yoshida & comments from Ohtani/Suzuki (Samurai Japan official X)
3) Samurai Japan official YouTube: Nagoya practice, etc.
Even without Matsui, the “win with pitching and defense” build remains
Yuki Matsui’s withdrawal—he was viewed as a leading closer candidate—is not a small loss mentally or on the field. Still, with Kanemaru added and the existing depth on the staff, it appears the core concept of a “team that can win with pitching and defense” remains intact.
Now the focus shifts to game-specific final checks through the Nagoya Series and the Tokyo-area tune-ups: “Who pitches in which situations?” and “What’s the best version of the lineup?” With roster news like this along the way, let’s enjoy the full build-up to the WBC together.
