In tune-up for Classic, Seiya comes through with a moonshot

Seiya Suzuki could only watch from afar as Japan won the 2023 World Baseball Classic, as he had to withdraw from the tournament due to an oblique injury. If Tuesday was any indication, the slugger looks more than ready to make up for what he missed.

Suzuki absolutely crushed a home run in Samurai Japan's final World Baseball Classic exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, sending a ball into orbit that served as a preview of what could be coming when the Classic begins later this week.

Though Suzuki couldn't suit up for Japan in 2023, his teammates made sure he was there in spirit, holding up his No. 51 jersey -- with a gold medal hanging around it -- after they defeated the United States in the championship game.

Now healthy, the 31-year-old Suzuki will make Samurai Japan all the more formidable in its quest for a fourth Classic title. Suzuki produced 32 homers and 103 RBIs -- the highest totals of his big league tenure -- for the Cubs in 2025.

Japan will begin its title defense with a Pool C matchup against Chinese Taipei at 5 a.m. ET on Friday.