TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Manager Hirokazu Ibata is expecting Japan's Major League Baseball contingent to form his team's backbone when Samurai Japan goes in pursuit of its fourth World Baseball Classic championship in March 2026.

"I've talked to a number of the (MLB) players this offseason, and I am grateful that they have expressed their intent to take part," the 49-year-old skipper said recently.

"I have high expectations for them, and I believe their participation has a good influence on the domestically based players."

Ibata said he is eager to have not only the 2023 WBC's MVP, Shohei Ohtani, but also Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who was ruled out of the last tournament by injury.

"There's no mistaking he's our top right-handed hitter," Ibata said of Suzuki. "He has enough power."

Ibata's next task will be picking a team for spring friendlies against the Netherlands at Kyocera Dome Osaka on March 5 and 6.

"There were some players who made my Premier12 team selection difficult, and I would like to see them," Ibata said. "I expect guys can raise their games a notch as they concentrate on the upcoming regular season."

The lone blemish on Ibata's managing record so far came in the Premier12 final, when Japan was outplayed by a talented and highly motivated Taiwan team at Tokyo Dome.

"We must learn from that loss and make something good come of it in the WBC," Ibata said.