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Nippon Professional news, rumors

  • • NPB’s Kazuma Okamoto, Tatsuya Imai Hoping To Be Posted For MLB Teams
    Every offseason, a handful of high-profile players from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and the Korea Baseball Organization in South Korea either reach true free agency or are made available to MLB teams by way of the posting system. We already know that slugging third baseman Munetaka Murakami (NPB’s Yakult Swallows) and steady right-hander Kona Takahashi…...2025
  • Dodgers Notes: Kiké Hernandez Announcement, LA Linked to Star Japanese Free Agent, James Outman Finally Gets Opportunity
    • Dodgers Notes: Kiké Hernandez Announcement, LA Linked to Star Japanese Free Agent, James Outman Finally Gets Opportunity
    The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres, 6-0, on Saturday night to reclaim sole possession of first place in the NL West. LA improved to 70-53 on the year. Additionally, the Dodgers are linked to a 25-year-old slugging third baseman from Japan. He has 230 home runs across eight seasons in Nippon Professional …...2025
  • Colorado Rockies game no. 105 thread: Austin Gomber vs. Tomoyuki Sugano
    • Colorado Rockies game no. 105 thread: Austin Gomber vs. Tomoyuki Sugano
    Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images The Rockies will look to rebound from last night and win their third-straight series Last night’s game was... forgettable at best (but historic at worst). In case you missed it, the Colorado Rockies were obliterated 18-0 by the Baltimore Orioles. And the worst part was that it was the second-worst shutout in franchise history. The worst came at the hand...2025
  • Dodgers’ Yoshinonbu Yamamoto, Hyeseong Kim Have Become Great Friends
    • Dodgers’ Yoshinonbu Yamamoto, Hyeseong Kim Have Become Great Friends
    Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Hyeseong Kim have the unique experience of being star baseball players overseas, and both leaped into the unknown to try and continue that success with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yamamoto had a microscopic 1.82 ERA across seven seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball with a 4.48 strikeout-to-walk ratio over nearly 900 innings of …...2025
  • Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto Believes He Could Start on 4 Days’ Rest
    • Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto Believes He Could Start on 4 Days’ Rest
    When the Los Angeles Dodgers transitioned Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a five-day rest period between starts last season, the then-rookie right-hander began to struggle on the mound. Yamamoto had just started his MLB career after playing seven seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. Before coming to MLB, he would only pitch once a week. More news: …...2025
  • • Shintaro Fujinami Signs With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars
    Former big leaguer Shintaro Fujinami has returned to Japan. He signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball, the team announced. The hard-throwing righty was released from a minor league deal with the Mariners last month. This probably marks the end of Fujinami’s two and a half seasons in affiliated ball. The 6’6″ righty…...2025

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Nippon Professional injury and suspension

  • Padres minor league update week #8
    • Padres minor league update week #8
    Matt Waldron and Bryan Hoeing continue rehab The Padres have two pitchers working on coming back from injuries suffered during spring training. Both starter Matt Waldron and reliever Bryan Hoeing are working toward completing their rehabilitation from those injuries. Waldron started his second game, this time with San Antonio, and completed 2 IP with 1 ER, 2 K and 2 BB. Hoeing also pitched for Dou...2025
  • Padres release Oscar Gonzalez
    • Padres release Oscar Gonzalez
    Oscar Gonzalez | Photo by Elsa/Getty Images Will sign with Nippon Baseball The San Diego Padres have given outfielder Oscar Gonzalez his unconditional release to allow him to pursue a job in Japan with the Nippon Professional Baseball organization, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic. After trading Connor Joe last week, the Padres are parting with another left-field option. They placed Oscar ...2025
  • Royals Rumblings - News for April 4, 2025
    • Royals Rumblings - News for April 4, 2025
    Currently, does Jonathan India have the best mane on the team? | Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images Time to get back to winning At The Star, Jaylon Thompson collected quotes from around the league concerning how teams feel about the Royals: “I think they understood the work that it took,” Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said. “They are not going to let up on that side, with the ...2025
  • Monday Rockpile: Where are these former members of the 2024 Rockies?
    • Monday Rockpile: Where are these former members of the 2024 Rockies?
    Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Colorado Rockies news and links for Monday, February 17th, 2025 The Colorado Rockies are reporting to their spring training home in Scottsdale, Arizona with a full 40-man roster an 23 non-roster invitees. These 63 players all have the same goal: to prepare for the upcoming 2025 baseball season and to hopefully be one of the 26 men named to the Rockies’ Opening Day ...2025
    See more articles Colorado Rockies injury report
  • Brewers sign Elvin Rodríguez to major league deal, DFA J.B. Bukauskas
    • Brewers sign Elvin Rodríguez to major league deal, DFA J.B. Bukauskas
    Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images Brewers continue to fill out their roster with minor and major league deals ahead of spring training, adding Jorge Alfaro yesterday The Milwaukee Brewers have signed right-handed relief pitcher Elvin Rodríguez to a major league deal. The contract is a one-year deal with a club option for the 2026 season. The Brewers designated J.B. Bukauskas for assignment to mak...2025
    Click for news about Elvin Rodríguez injury status
  • • 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
    See also Chiba Lotte
  • • 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
  • • 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

Nippon Professional lifestyle

  • BCB After Dark: Would Robert Suarez be a good fit?
    • BCB After Dark: Would Robert Suarez be a good fit?
    Photo by Harry How/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks if Robert Suarez is worth the price. It’s another week here at BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come in out of the cold. There’s no cover charge this evening. Let us check your coat. We still have a few tables available. Bring your own beverag...2025
    See more Robert Suarez
  • • Asian and American Ballplayers Face Unusual Challenges When Living Abroad
    2016
    Read about Oakland Athletics

Timeline

  • 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 trade rumors, contract, salary rumors

  • • Colorado Rockies game no. 105 thread: Austin Gomber vs. Tomoyuki Sugano
    2025
  • • Grant Hartwig Signs With NPB’s Hanshin Tigers
    Reliever Grant Hartwig has signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. The 6’5″ righty had been on a minor league contract with the Mets but was released last month. It seems that was to pursue this opportunity. Hartwig, 27, pitched in the big leagues for the Mets in each of the previous…...2025
    Check it out Hanshin Tigers salary
  • • Marek Chlup Debuts With Yomiuri Giants
    Great news for Czech baseball fans as Marek Chlup has been added to the NPB roster of the Yomiuri Giants. A first in Japanese baseball. In September, 2024, Marek Chlup signed a so-called developmental contract with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yomiuri Giants. It was the first for Japanese baseball that a player from the Czech Republic......2025
  • • NPB’s Rakuten Eagles Sign Luke Voit
    The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball have signed Luke Voit to a contract for the remainder of the 2025 season.  News of the signing first emerged a couple of weeks ago, and Voit just this weekend arrived in Japan once terms were finalized. Voit is best known for his torrid stretch of…...2025
    See more articles Luke Voit
  • • Padres minor league update week #8
    2025
  • • Padres release Oscar Gonzalez
    2025
    Click for news about Oscar Gonzalez salary
  • • Royals Rumblings - News for April 4, 2025
    2025
  • 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
  • Yuki Matsui proving to be a dependable bullpen piece
    • Yuki Matsui proving to be a dependable bullpen piece
    Yuki Matsui | Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images Lefty enters year two with San Diego Yuki Matsui signed with the Padres in 2024 and proved to be an effective and dependable arm out of the bullpen in his first season. He appeared in 64 games and finished with a 3.73 ERA. This was not a surprise to the leadership in San Diego because Matsui had just completed his 10th season in the Ni...2025
  • Royals Rumblings - News for February 28, 2025
    • Royals Rumblings - News for February 28, 2025
    Need another pitcher? I Noah guy. | Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images Spring Training is in full swing! This is going to feel a little backwards as our OT is up at the top today, sort of. It’s been brought to my attention that a number of AI bots are harvesting our articles and either cutting-and-pasting them, slightly rewriting them and publishing them as their own, or, my favorite, turni...2025

Nippon Professional stats and results

  • • Royals Rumblings - News for April 4, 2025
    2025
  • • 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?
    • 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
    See more articles Colorado Rockies scores
  • • 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
    Check it out Koji Uehara scores
  • • Japanese prospect brings back Hideo Nomo pitching motion
    The spirit of Hideo Nomo lives on in Japanese prospect Suguru Takai.The 21-year-old Takai, a right-handed pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball league, is going viral for a familiar pitching motion — one that is virtually a mirror image of Nomo’s. Nomo became famous for that corkscrew-esque delivery during his 12 seasons pitching in the MLB (most notably with the Los A...2017
  • • Ichiro Suzuki's Contract Option Picked Up by Marlins: Latest Details, Reaction
    2016
    Click for news about Ichiro Suzuki stats
  • • MLB Team of the Week: Edwin Encarnacion, J.D. Martinez and Colby Lewis Star
    2016
  • • How Should We View Ichiro Suzuki's 4,257 All-Time Professional Hits?
    2016
    Read about Ichiro Suzuki stats
  • • 2016 MLB Rookies Already Going Toe-to-Toe with Historic 2015 Class
    2016
    Check it out Kris Bryant

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

  • • Thursday Rockpile: Are the Rockies bringing emotion back to Coors?
    2025
    Click for news about Colorado Rockies
  • • Monday Rockpile: Where are these former members of the 2024 Rockies?
    2025
    Click for news about Colorado Rockies
  • • BCB After Dark: Would Robert Suarez be a good fit?
    2025
    See more articles Robert Suarez
  • 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
    See more articles Roki Sasaki
  • 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
    Click for news about Matt Chapman
  • • 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
    See more Ichiro Suzuki
  • • 2016 MLB Rookies Already Going Toe-to-Toe with Historic 2015 Class
    2016
    See more articles Kris Bryant
  • • Asian and American Ballplayers Face Unusual Challenges When Living Abroad
    2016
    Continue with Oakland Athletics
  • • Is Dodgers' Revamped Rotation Good Enough to Compete for 2016 Title?
    2016

Top Nippon Professional news

  • • Angels' Shohei Ohtani hits first career grand slam in two-homer game vs. Rays
    2022
    See more Shohei Ohtani
  • • Kuroda reportedly returning to Japan to pitch
    2014
    Click for news about 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 Red Sox
  • Sources: Bauer finalizing deal to play in Japan
    • Sources: Bauer finalizing deal to play in Japan
    2023
    See more articles Trevor Bauer
  • • Has Nathan Eovaldi Surpassed Masahiro Tanaka as Yankees' True Ace?
    2015
  • • Trevor Bauer To Sign With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars
    2023
    Visit the page Trevor Bauer

Baseball Fame Ranking

  • 1. White Sox

  • 2. World Series

  • 3. Red Sox

  • . . .

  • 665. Nippon Professional

Nippon Professional fantasy rankings and news

  • • 2015 Yankees Could Be Perfect Fit for 6-Man Rotation Experiment
    2015
    Read about New York Yankees
  • • How This MLB Offseason Will Impact the 2015-2016 Free-Agent Class
    2014
    See more articles James Shields

Nippon Professional schedule, game

  • • Colorado Rockies game no. 105 thread: Austin Gomber vs. Tomoyuki Sugano
    2025
    Click for news about Colorado Rockies
  • • Padres minor league update week #8
    2025
    See more Matt Waldron
  • • Royals Rumblings - News for April 4, 2025
    2025
    Continue with Jonathan India
  • • Further thoughts on the MLB Tokyo Series, the Cubs, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani
    2025
    Visit the page Shohei Ohtani
  • • Yuki Matsui proving to be a dependable bullpen piece
    2025
    See more articles Yuki Matsui
  • • Royals Rumblings - News for February 28, 2025
    2025
    Visit the page Spring Training
  • • Thursday Rockpile: Are the Rockies bringing emotion back to Coors?
    2025
    See more articles 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
    Read about World Series
  • • Monday Rockpile: Where are these former members of the 2024 Rockies?
    2025
  • Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas Hints at Jersey Change to Give Up Number for Roki Sasaki
    • Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas Hints at Jersey Change to Give Up Number for Roki Sasaki
    Roki Sasaki has a tough decision to make and if he is superstitious at all, it could take some getting used to. More news: Dodgers Sign LHP Tanner Scott to Massive Contract in Blockbuster Deal The newest starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers wore No. 17 with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional …...2025
    Continue with Roki Sasaki

Nippon Professional rumors, scandals

  • • Royals Rumblings - News for April 4, 2025
    2025
  • • Further thoughts on the MLB Tokyo Series, the Cubs, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani
    2025
    Visit the page Shohei Ohtani
  • • Royals Rumblings - News for February 28, 2025
    2025
  • • NPB’s Chiba Lotte Marines Sign Jimmy Cordero
    2023
    Check it out Chiba Lotte buzz
  • • Trevor Bauer To Sign With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars
    2023
    Click for news about Trevor Bauer buzz
  • • 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
    See more articles Freddy Galvis scandal
  • • 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
    Visit the page Ichiro Suzuki gossip
  • • 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
    See more articles Hot Stove buzz
  • • How Should We View Ichiro Suzuki's 4,257 All-Time Professional Hits?
    2016
  • • Scott Miller's Starting 9: Cubs Window Opening Right Before Our Eyes
    2015
    Continue with Scott Miller gossip

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