Nippon Professional Baseball rumors, news

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Nippon Professional Baseball news, rumors

  • • Astros To Sign Miguel Yajure To Minor League Deal
    The Astros are adding right-hander Miguel Yajure on a minor league agreement, reports Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The 27-year-old has spent the past two seasons pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. He last appeared in the big leagues with the Pirates in 2022. Yajure’s stateside return comes after he posted a 3.72 ERA across […]...2026
  • • Hiromi Itoh, Teruaki Sato Expected To Be Posted For MLB Teams Next Winter
    MLB teams believe Nippon Professional Baseball stars Hiromi Itoh and Teruaki Sato will both be posted into next offseason’s free agent market, according to ESPN.com’s Jorge Castillo.  Itoh is a right-handed pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, while Sato is a slugging third baseman/outfielder for the Hanshin Tigers.  Both are members of  Japan’s World Baseball […]...2026
  • • Changes, Toronto Blue Jays
    The Toronto Blue Jays added the following players to their 2026 major league roster: Kazuma Okamoto, 3B Dylan Cease, SP Cody Ponce, SP Tyler Rogers, RP The AL Champions stood pat for the most part. Okamoto represents a nice addition, however. The slugger slashed .277/.361/.521 in eleven seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball. He did that […]...2026
  • • The Opener: Imai, Kolek, Scherzer
    Here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day: 1. Imai to make stateside debut: New Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai has pitched his entire career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, but he’ll make his first career MLB Spring Training appearance later today. Imai is the […]...2026
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  • • Tomoyuki Sugano Intends To Stay In MLB
    Free agent Tomoyuki Sugano is not planning to return to Nippon Professional Baseball, per a report from Yahoo Japan (hat tip here for the translation). The report cited a recent television interview from Sugano in which he said he’s “not considering” coming back to NPB. He has connected with multiple teams and is “waiting for…...2026
  • • NPB’s Orix Buffaloes Sign Sean Hjelle
    The Orix Buffaloes of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball announced this week that they’ve signed former Giants right-hander Sean Hjelle. He had elected minor league free agency at the beginning of the offseason. Hjelle was a second-round pick out of the University of Kentucky in 2018. It’s fitting that he landed with San Francisco, as the 6’11”…...2026

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Nippon Professional Baseball injury and suspension

  • • Jon Duplantier Signs With NPB’s Yokohama BayStars
    The Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball announced the signing of right-hander Jon Duplantier. The 31-year-old will remain in Japan for a second season after spending the ’25 campaign with the Hanshin Tigers. A former highly-regarded prospect with the Diamondbacks, Duplantier was set back by injuries. He wound up making just 19 appearances between…...2026
  • • NPB’s Chiba Lotte Marines Sign Jimmy Cordero
    Relief pitcher Jimmy Cordero signed a contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. The team announced the move yesterday. Cordero reached free agency last month after being non-tendered by the Yankees. On July 5, MLB had leveled a season-ending suspension after determining that Cordero had violated the domestic violence, sexual assault and…...2023
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  • • Trevor Bauer To Sign With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars
    Free-agent right-hander Trevor Bauer has agreed to a one-year, $4MM deal with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, as first reported by Japan’s Sankei Sports (Twitter link). Bauer had previously been suspended for 324 games under MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. Back in December, commissioner Rob Manfred…...2023
  • • Hot Stove is cold as ice for White Sox, sizzling for others
    Rumors of White Sox interest proved about $10 million too light, as the cocky Cubs inked Cody Bellinger for nearly his estimated arb figure. | Ronald Martinez/Getty Images We wait for scraps as Phillies, Guardians and Cubs feast The biggest news out of Tuesday’s Winter Meetings was the MLB draft lottery. My fantastic teammate at South Side Sox, Allie Wesel, has the full draft coverage for ...2022
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  • • Daisuke Matsuzaka To Retire After 2021 NPB Season
    Veteran right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will retire following the 2021 season, as per an announcement from the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (hat tip to The Kyodo News).  The 40-year-old last pitched during the 2019 NPB season and hasn’t since been able to get back onto the mound after undergoing cervical spine surgery last…...2021
  • • Nippon Professional Baseball postpones start of season due to coronavirus
    Nippon Professional Baseball is postponing the beginning of its 2020 season due to the spread of the coronavirus, per Jeff Passan and Jim Allen. NPB commissioner Atsushi Saito announced the decision following an emergency meeting with representatives for the 12 teams. “How must we (pro baseball) act? We must protect the players, staff, families, but no one more so than the fans” Saito said, via Ji...2020
  • • Hisashi Iwakuma to return to Japan
    Veteran right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma tells Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times that he will conclude his tenure with the Mariners and return to his native Japan. That does not mean, however, that he’s calling his playing career quits.Iwakuma had been trying to return from shoulder surgery, but only made it to a pair of rehab appearances. While he was not able to get all the way back to the big league...2018
  • • Koji Uehara signs with NPB's Yomiuri Giants
    After a terrific nine-year run in Major League Baseball, veteran reliever Koji Uehara has returned to the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, the team announced (link via the Japan Times). Carlos Yamakazi of the Tokyo Sports Press had previously tweeted that Uehara would sign there and that the deal would be announced today.Now entering his age-43 season, Uehara began his profe...2018
  • • Nate Schierholtz Suspended: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction
    2016
  • • Nate Schierholtz Suspended: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction
    2016

Nippon Professional Baseball lifestyle

  • • Asian and American Ballplayers Face Unusual Challenges When Living Abroad
    2016
    Click for news about Oakland Athletics

Timeline

  • 2026
    "After reading Robert Fitts’ latest — In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball — it reminded me of the excitement of being over […]"

  • 2025
    "Prior to the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball officially posting right-hander Roki Sasaki for major league clubs last month, Major League Baseball conducted an investigation before authorizing Sasaki’s posting."

  • 2024
    "Speculation about the likelihood of star Nippon Professional Baseball right-hander being likely to sign with the Dodgers — or even having a predetermined “handshake” deal to sign in L."

  • 2023
    "Trevor Bauer is finalizing a one-year contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan."

  • 2022
    "Ohtani had never hit a grand slam in either MLB or Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball"

  • 2021
    "Pittsburgh was the third organization of the season for the 29-year-old Tsutsugo — a star with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball who’d struggled since signing a two-year contract with the the Rays."

  • 2020
    "Nippon Professional Baseball remains on hold because of the pandemic"

  • 2019
    "According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, via Twitter, Jones is in talks with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Orix Buffaloes on a contract."

  • 2018
    "Both the Kyodo News and Japan Times report that the 36-year-old Aoki has agreed to a three-year contract with the Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball."

  • 2017
    "MLB, Nippon Professional Baseball and the MLB Players Association have agreed in principle on new terms of the posting system that would allow Japanese players to move to the Major Leagues."

  • 2016
    "Nine offseasons ago, the Red Sox and Yankees combined to invest nearly $150 million in Daisuke Matsuzaka and Kei Igawa -- a pair of pitchers from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball."

  • 2015
    "Tanaka still has the pedigree, both from his dominant (if injury-marred) rookie campaign in 2014 and his years of excellence with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball."

  • 2014
    "Hiroki Kuroda is returning to Japan to pitch for Nippon Professional Baseball, according to multiple reports."

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Nippon Professional Baseball trade rumors, contract, salary rumors

  • • Hiromi Itoh, Teruaki Sato Expected To Be Posted For MLB Teams Next Winter
    2026
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  • • José Ureña Signs With NPB’s Rakuten Eagles
    The Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball announced this week that they’ve signed veteran right-hander José Ureña to a one-year contract for the 2026 season. It’ll be the first stint overseas for the Premier Talent Sports client, who’s previously pitched for 11 major league clubs — including a whopping five teams in 2025…...2026
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  • • Takahiro Norimoto Weighing Offer From MLB Team
    Free agent relief pitcher Takahiro Norimoto has received an offer from a major league club, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The 35-year-old righty is weighing a move stateside but not firmly committed to making the jump. He’s also considering offers from clubs in Japan. Norimoto has played 13 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, all with the…...2026
  • • Kona Takahashi Could Return To NPB
    Right-hander Tatsuya Imai found an MLB home earlier today, signing a three-year deal with the Astros. The same can’t be said for Imai’s former Seibu Lions teammate, Kona Takahashi, whose posting window closes on Sunday. With just one major league offer on the table, Takahashi could be headed back to Nippon Professional Baseball, reports Mark…...2026
    Click for news about Tatsuya Imai
  • • NPB’s Hanshin Tigers Sign Carson Ragsdale
    The Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball announced that right-hander Carson Ragsdale has signed a one-year contract.  Ragsdale hit the open market after being non-tendered by the Braves last month. The move to Japan concludes a whirlwind five-month stretch for Ragsdale that saw the 27-year-old change teams four times on the waiver wire, and make…...2025
  • • Mets To Sign Mike Baumann
    The Mets are in agreement on a contract with veteran right-hander Mike Baumann, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The 30-year-old spent the 2025 season with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. More to come....2025
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  • • NPB’s Yomiuri Giants Sign Bobby Dalbec
    The Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball have signed infielder Bobby Dalbec to a one-year contract, according to multiple reports from Japan.  MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo reports that Dalbec’s salary is worth more than $1MM. A highly-touted prospect during his time in the Red Sox farm system, Dalbec is now 30 years old and at a…...2025
  • • Poll: Which Team Will Sign Munetaka Murakami?
    A big bat joined the free agent market last week when the Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball posted Munetaka Murakami for MLB clubs. The 25-year-old bashed 246 home runs in eight NPB seasons, including a single-season record 56 in 2022. Murakami is behind only Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette among hitters in our Top 50 Free…...2025
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  • • Astros, Peter Lambert Agree To Minor League Deal
    The Astros are in agreement with right-hander Peter Lambert on a minor league contract, reports Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. The 28-year-old returns stateside after a season in Japan with the Yakult Swallows. Lambert made 21 starts in his only year in Nippon Professional Baseball. He allowed a 4.26 earned run average across 116 1/3 innings.…...2025
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  • • Anthony Kay Likely To Pursue MLB Opportunity This Offseason
    Former MLB pitcher Anthony Kay is expected to come back stateside in 2026, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The left-hander spent the past two seasons pitching for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan. Kay, 30, was the Mets’ first-round draft pick in 2016. He was traded…...2025
    Visit the page Anthony Kay salary

Nippon Professional Baseball stats and results

  • Further thoughts on the MLB Tokyo Series, the Cubs, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani
    • Further thoughts on the MLB Tokyo Series, the Cubs, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani
    Al Yellon The Cubs participated in the games, but they still have a long way to go in Japan. TOKYO — The window display you see above is in a random store in the Shibuya District in Tokyo. The Shibuya Crossing is one of the most famous spots in Tokyo; I wrote a bit about it the other day. But it’s not just in random stores in Shibuya where you see images of Shohei Ohtani. It’s literally e...2025
  • Thursday Rockpile: Are the Rockies bringing emotion back to Coors?
    • Thursday Rockpile: Are the Rockies bringing emotion back to Coors?
    Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Colorado Rockies news and links for Thursday, February 27, 2025 “How can you not be romantic about baseball?” This sport, amongst the oldest and most storied of our country’s traditions, has graced us as fans with moments of absolute elation and unparalleled joy. José Bautista’s home run against the Rangers, David Freese’s triple in 201...2025
  • • Latest On Asian Baseball Leagues’ Attempts To Resume Play
    If Asia’s top professional baseball leagues represent a preview of what MLB can expect when it tries to get back to play, then the results are mixed — and remain largely indeterminate. Let’s catch up on the latest … Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball is back on ice, as Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times writes.…...2020
  • • Pitching notes: How will the Rangers utilize Tim Lincecum?
    Reliever Koji Uehara says that he is open to considering offers from teams in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, as the Japan Times recently reported. That’s something of a reversal from the 42-year-old reliever, who had indicated he did not intend to play again in his homeland. After preparing for the MLB season, but finding interest scant, Uehara now says he has changed his mind and wo...2018
    Continue with Koji Uehara scores
  • • Ichiro Suzuki's Contract Option Picked Up by Marlins: Latest Details, Reaction
    2016
    Click for news about Ichiro Suzuki scores
  • • MLB Team of the Week: Edwin Encarnacion, J.D. Martinez and Colby Lewis Star
    2016
    Visit the page Edwin Encarnacion
  • • How Should We View Ichiro Suzuki's 4,257 All-Time Professional Hits?
    2016
    Click for news about Ichiro Suzuki
  • • 2016 MLB Rookies Already Going Toe-to-Toe with Historic 2015 Class
    2016
    Click for news about Kris Bryant scores
  • • Kenta Maeda Looking Like Huge Bargain Ready for Bright Lights of Los Angeles
    2016
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  • • Is Dodgers' Revamped Rotation Good Enough to Compete for 2016 Title?
    2016

Nippon Professional Baseball parents, kids, wife / husband, girlfriend / boyfriend

  • • Thursday Rockpile: Are the Rockies bringing emotion back to Coors?
    2025
  • Tuesday Rockpile: Do the Rockies have a shot at signing Roki Sasaki?
    • Tuesday Rockpile: Do the Rockies have a shot at signing Roki Sasaki?
    Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images Colorado Rockies news and links for Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Anyone who watched the 2023 World Baseball Classic surely found themselves wowed by Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. A 100+ mph fastball coupled with a killer splitter (as in one of the best in the world) can do that. At the time, Sasaki — a pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines — was only 21, so...2024
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  • Outside The Confines: Matt Chapman goes back to the Bay
    • Outside The Confines: Matt Chapman goes back to the Bay
    Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Matt Chapman returns to the Bay Area, but on the other side. The owners want a signing deadline. And more news from Spring Training. Good morning. If you want to feel old, Darren Baker is 1 for 5 for the Nationals in five games in Spring Training. And if you don’t remember who that is, then you probably aren’t old. The Giants signed...2024
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  • • NPB/KBO Notes: Smoak, Sparkman, Freitas
    Veteran first baseman Justin Smoak, who’d signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball over the winter, has returned to the United States to be with his family, the Japan Times recently reported. The 34-year-old switch-hitter was productive in his limited run for the second-place Giants, slashing .272/.336/.482 with seven homers and three…...2021
    Visit the page Justin Smoak
  • • How Should We View Ichiro Suzuki's 4,257 All-Time Professional Hits?
    2016
    Click for news about Ichiro Suzuki
  • • 2016 MLB Rookies Already Going Toe-to-Toe with Historic 2015 Class
    2016
    Click for news about Kris Bryant
  • • Asian and American Ballplayers Face Unusual Challenges When Living Abroad
    2016
  • • Is Dodgers' Revamped Rotation Good Enough to Compete for 2016 Title?
    2016
  • • How the LA Dodgers Can Still Build a 2016 Powerhouse After January 1
    2015
  • • Scott Miller's Starting 9: Cubs Window Opening Right Before Our Eyes
    2015
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Top Nippon Professional Baseball news

  • • Angels' Shohei Ohtani hits first career grand slam in two-homer game vs. Rays
    2022
    See more articles Shohei Ohtani
  • • Kuroda reportedly returning to Japan to pitch
    2014
    See more articles Hiroki Kuroda
  • • Source: Deal reached; Ohtani can be posted
    2017
  • • History suggests Maeda will be a good value
    2016
    See more articles Red Sox
  • • History suggests Maeda will be a good value
    2016
    See more articles Red Sox
  • Sources: Bauer finalizing deal to play in Japan
    • Sources: Bauer finalizing deal to play in Japan
    2023
    Read about Trevor Bauer
  • • Has Nathan Eovaldi Surpassed Masahiro Tanaka as Yankees' True Ace?
    2015
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  • • Trevor Bauer To Sign With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars
    2023
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Baseball Fame Ranking

  • 1. White Sox

  • 2. World Series

  • 3. Red Sox

  • . . .

  • 420. Nippon Professional Baseball

Nippon Professional Baseball fantasy rankings and news

  • • 2015 Yankees Could Be Perfect Fit for 6-Man Rotation Experiment
    2015
    See more articles New York Yankees
  • • How This MLB Offseason Will Impact the 2015-2016 Free-Agent Class
    2014
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Nippon Professional Baseball schedule, game

  • • Hiromi Itoh, Teruaki Sato Expected To Be Posted For MLB Teams Next Winter
    2026
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  • • Reds To Sign Michael Chavis To Minor League Deal
    The Reds and infielder Michael Chavis have agreed to a minor league deal, reports Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. The CAA Sports client also receives an invite to big league camp in spring training. Chavis, 30, returns to North America after a brief stint overseas. He signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball…...2025
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  • • Further thoughts on the MLB Tokyo Series, the Cubs, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani
    2025
    See more articles Shohei Ohtani
  • • Thursday Rockpile: Are the Rockies bringing emotion back to Coors?
    2025
    Read about Colorado Rockies
  • MLB needs to copy the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off
    • MLB needs to copy the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off
    Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The All-Star Game is dead. Long live the All-Star Game. As I begin writing this, the United States of America and Canada are tied 2-2 going into the third period of the finals of the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off, the NHL’s new international tournament that replaced its regular All-Star Game. The USA and Canada make up half the squads with Finland and Sweden being the...2025
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  • • Brewers Grant Release To Jon Duplantier To Pursue NPB Opportunity
    The Brewers have granted right-hander Jon Duplantier his release so that he can pursue an opportunity with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, reports Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Duplantier, 30, inked a minor league deal with Milwaukee back in November and had been slated to compete for a job in spring training. It…...2024
    Visit the page Hanshin Tigers
  • • Rakuten Eagles Sign Spencer Howard, Miguel Yajure
    The Rakuten Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball have signed right-handed pitchers Spencer Howard and Miguel Yajure, the team announced. Both pitchers will presumably join the Eagles starting rotation. The 2025 season will be Howard’s first in NPB and Yajure’s second. Howard, 28, was once a promising prospect in the Phillies organization but struggled to translate…...2024
  • • Tomoyuki Sugano Expected To Sign With MLB Team This Offseason
    Longtime Nippon Professional Baseball star Tomoyuki Sugano is planning to sign with an MLB team this offseason, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. After 12 years in NPB, Sugano more than meets the requirements (nine years of NPB service) to qualify for international free agency, so he will not be subject to the rules of the…...2024
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  • • Outside The Confines: Matt Chapman goes back to the Bay
    2024
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  • • Sorting Through The Athletics’ Rotation Options
    The A’s formally announced newly signed right-hander Shintaro Fujinami at a press conference last week, where general manager David Forst confirmed that Fujinami is indeed viewed as a starting pitcher. That’s the role he’s held in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball for the bulk of his career, so perhaps it’s not a surprise, but Fujinami is…...2023
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Nippon Professional Baseball rumors, scandals

  • • Kona Takahashi To Be Posted This Offseason
    Nippon Professional Baseball’s Seibu Lions announced overnight that they will post Kona Takahashi for MLB clubs this offseason. The news isn’t necessarily shocking, as it was reported back in August that the Lions were likely to post Takahashi this winter. Takahashi, 29 in February, pitched to a solid 3.04 ERA in 24 starts for the…...2025
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  • • Further thoughts on the MLB Tokyo Series, the Cubs, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani
    2025
    See more articles Shohei Ohtani buzz
  • • NPB’s Chiba Lotte Marines Sign Jimmy Cordero
    2023
    Click for news about Chiba Lotte scandal
  • • Trevor Bauer To Sign With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars
    2023
    Visit the page Trevor Bauer gossip
  • • Freddy Galvis Close To Deal With NPB’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
    Infielder Freddy Galvis appears to be close to a move overseas, as reports from Yahoo Japan indicate that Galvis is nearing a contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball. Should the move be finalized, it would count as a bit of a surprise.  While there hadn’t been much buzz about Galvis’ free…...2021
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  • • Ichiro Suzuki to retire
    Ichiro Suzuki will announce his retirement following the completion of Thursday morning’s game between the Mariners and Athletics in Tokyo, Jim Allen of the Kyodo News reports (Twitter link). Ichiro has already informed the Mariners about his decision. The 45-year-old outfielder is in Thursday’s lineup, starting in right field in the 2,653rd game of his MLB career. The official announcement ends m...2019
  • • Shohei 7: Latest buzz on two-way star Ohtani
    As the Hot Stove heats up, all eyes are on Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani. His Nippon Professional Baseball team, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, posted him on Friday, and Ohtani has until Dec. 22 to sign with a Major League team....2017
    Visit the page Hot Stove buzz
  • • How Should We View Ichiro Suzuki's 4,257 All-Time Professional Hits?
    2016
    See more articles Ichiro Suzuki rumors
  • • Scott Miller's Starting 9: Cubs Window Opening Right Before Our Eyes
    2015
    See more articles Scott Miller buzz
  • • MLB International Signing Rules Must Be Altered with Improved US-Cuba Relations
    2014
    See more articles Bud Selig gossip

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