Baseball: Ohtani to skip WBC camp, Angels hopeful of keeping star

Shohei Ohtani will make one preseason Cactus League start for the Los Angeles Angels before heading to Japan on March 1 for the World Baseball Classic, Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Saturday.

Ohtani will therefore not join the Japanese national team in Miyazaki for its Feb. 17-27 training camp in preparation for its WBC campaign starting March 9 against China at Tokyo Dome.

The two-way star will not be under any restrictions as a starting pitcher or batter at the WBC, according to Minasian, who also expressed confidence the Angels can sign him to a new deal when he enters free age...