Nippon Professional rumors, news

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Nippon Professional news, rumors

  • • Masahiro Tanaka To Sign With NPB’s Yomiuri Giants
    Veteran right-hander Masahiro Tanaka has reached an agreement with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, per a report from Yahoo Japan (h/t to Yakyu Cosmopolitan). The terms of the deal are not yet clear, but it appears he’ll be joining a new NPB team for the first time in his lengthy career. Tanaka, 36,…...2024
  • • NPB’s Chunichi Dragons Sign Kyle Muller
    The Chunichi Dragons have signed left-hander Kyle Muller, according to multiple reports out of Japan.  Muller elected free agency after he was outrighted off the Athletics’ 40-man roster at the end of the season, and he’ll now explore a new chapter of his career in Nippon Professional Baseball. A second-round pick for the Braves in…...2024
  • • Peter Lambert To Sign With NPB’s Yakult Swallows
    Right-hander Peter Lambert is poised to sign with the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball on a one-year deal, according to a report from Nikkan Sports (Japanese language link). The report suggests that Lambert would earn a $1.6MM salary in 2025 if the deal is completed. Lambert, 28 in April, was a second-round pick by…...2024
  • • Bryan Sammons Signs With NPB’s Chiba Lotte Marines
    Former Tigers left-hander Bryan Sammons has signed a one-year deal with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Chiba Lotte Marines, per announcements from the team and from Sammons’ agency, GSI. Sammons made his big league debut as a 29-year-old rookie this past season, pitching 27 1/3 innings of 3.62 ERA ball for the Tigers during their Cinderella push…...2024
    Visit the page Chiba Lotte
  • • 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
  • Shinnosuke Ogasawara officially posted for MLB clubs
    • Shinnosuke Ogasawara officially posted for MLB clubs
    Left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara has been officially posted by the Chunichi Dragons of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball....2024

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Nippon Professional injury and suspension

  • Roki Sasaki to Dodgers? National MLB Writer Doesn’t Rule it Out
    • Roki Sasaki to Dodgers? National MLB Writer Doesn’t Rule it Out
    Will the Los Angeles Dodgers sign Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher Roki Sasaki during the offseason? The Japanese pitcher is one of the most highly-sought after international prospects, and will likely be coveted by many teams, even though he has dealt with injuries this season. However, it’s unclear if the Chiba Lotte Marines will let Sasaki …...2024
    Read about Roki Sasaki injury
  • Royals Rumblings - News for April 12, 2024
    • Royals Rumblings - News for April 12, 2024
    Dang it - Ryan already used the picture I wanted to use | Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Sure, the Royals have a 7 game winning streak. But, more importantly, they’d have a 29 week unbeaten streak on Thursdays if they hadn’t lost Opening Day Yesterday was a day game (and what a game). That jumbles all the news up. Basically, we get a bunch of recaps, but I’m sur...2024
    See more articles Mark DeRosa
  • Thursday Rockpile: The Rockies should seize upon their last chance to sign an NPB pitcher
    • Thursday Rockpile: The Rockies should seize upon their last chance to sign an NPB pitcher
    Colorado Rockies news and links for Thursday, January 11th, 2024 This afternoon will be the final deadline for Major League Baseball teams to sign talent that has entered the posting system from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball or South Korea’s Korea Baseball Organization. As the deadline draws ever nearer, most of the biggest names have been taken off the board. Many of them were signed by ...2024
  • • 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
    Visit the page Chiba Lotte injury report
  • • 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
    Continue with Daisuke Matsuzaka injury
  • • 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
    See more articles Koji Uehara injuries

Nippon Professional lifestyle

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

Timeline

  • 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

  • • Peter Lambert To Sign With NPB’s Yakult Swallows
    2024
    See also Peter Lambert
  • • Kyle Keller Re-Signs With NPB’s Yomiuri Giants
    Right-hander Kyle Keller has re-signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, MLBTR has learned. Keller’s new contract is a one-year deal that includes a mutual option for the 2026 season, though specific financial terms remain unclear. Keller, 31, was an 18th-round pick by Miami back in 2015 and made his big league debut…...2024
  • Colorado should look to the east for help
    • Colorado should look to the east for help
    Photo by Harry How/Getty Images Colorado Rockies news and links for Thursday, December 5, 2024 No, it's not a Lord of the Rings reference, though the idea is the same. Much like Aragorn awaited assistance from his allies to the east to save him from certain doom, the Rockies could do something similar in regards to the KBO League and Nippon Professional Baseball. While their team is doing ...2024
    See more articles Colorado Rockies contract
  • • Tayron Guerrero Signs With NPB’s Chiba Lotte Marines
    The Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball announced that they have signed right-hander Tayron Guerrero. Per reporter Francys Romero (X link), Guerrero will make a salary of $600K next year. It’s a bit of a homecoming for Guerrero, 34 in January, as he also pitched for the Marines in 2022. He was in…...2024
    See more articles Chiba Lotte trade rumors
  • Outside The Confines: Is a decision near?
    • Outside The Confines: Is a decision near?
    Brad Penner-Imagn Images Juan Soto is reportedly getting closer to signing. A few other free agents have signed for a lot less. A look ahead to the Winter Meetings and other news from around MLB. Good morning. Especially if you’re Juan Soto. If you’re reading this, Juan, hi! Top free agent Juan Soto is reportedly nearing a decision as to where he will sign. The decision could come as soon...2024
    See also Brad Penner
  • • Sandro Fabian Reportedly Agrees To Three-Year Deal With NPB’s Hiroshima Toyo Carp
    Outfielder Sandro Fabian has reportedly agreed to join the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, per details from Francys Romero and Mike Rodriguez (X links). It’s a three-year pact worth $5.8MM, plus $600K of incentives. Fabian was on the 40-man roster of the Texas Rangers, who have apparently received some release fee from…...2024
  • • Angels Among Teams With Interest In Tomoyuki Sugano
    After 12 excellent seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano is expected to sign with a major league team. Sugano is a true free agent and thus does not need to be posted. He’s eligible to sign a major league deal with any club for any amount, with no release fee heading to…...2024
    Visit the page Tomoyuki Sugano contract
  • BCB After Dark: What about Yusei Kikuchi?
    • BCB After Dark: What about Yusei Kikuchi?
    Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks you about free agent left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the grooviest gathering of night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Please come on in out of the autumn chill. There’s no cover charge this evening. We still have a few tables available. Let us know if we ca...2024
    Continue with Yusei Kikuchi
  • Roki Sasaki has officially been posted and will come to MLB in 2025
    • Roki Sasaki has officially been posted and will come to MLB in 2025
    Roki Sasaki pitches during the 2023 World Baseball Classic | Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images What are the Cubs’ chances? Just a couple of days ago, I wrote about star Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki and that the Cubs should absolutely, positively go after him if his NPB team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, posted him. Today, the Marines made it official: They are ...2024
    Read about Roki Sasaki salary
  • • Young Pitcher to be Posted
    The Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball decided to post Roki Sasaki. He is already a star in Japan, and helped win the 2023 World Baseball Classic: Because he is younger than 25, Sasaki will be classified as an international amateur free agent subject to bonus pool limits, according to MLB rules. That means […]...2024
    See more Lotte Marines

Nippon Professional stats and results

  • • Colorado should look to the east for help
    2024
    Click for news about Colorado Rockies stats
  • • BCB After Dark: What about Yusei Kikuchi?
    2024
    See more articles Yusei Kikuchi statistics
  • • 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
  • • 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
    Visit the page Ichiro Suzuki stats
  • • MLB Team of the Week: Edwin Encarnacion, J.D. Martinez and Colby Lewis Star
    2016
    Click for news about Edwin Encarnacion stats
  • • How Should We View Ichiro Suzuki's 4,257 All-Time Professional Hits?
    2016
    See more articles Ichiro Suzuki statistics
  • • 2016 MLB Rookies Already Going Toe-to-Toe with Historic 2015 Class
    2016
  • • Kenta Maeda Looking Like Huge Bargain Ready for Bright Lights of Los Angeles
    2016
    Visit the page Kenta Maeda stats

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

  • • BCB After Dark: What about Yusei Kikuchi?
    2024
    Click for news about Yusei Kikuchi
  • • Royals Rumblings - News for April 12, 2024
    2024
    See more articles Mark DeRosa
  • BCB After Dark: Who will be the King of K?
    • BCB After Dark: Who will be the King of K?
    Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks who will lead the pitching staff in strikeouts Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the grooviest get-together for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Please come on in and sit with us. There’s no cover charge. We still have a few tables available. Bring your own beverage. BCB After Dark is...2024
    Check it out Matt Marton
  • 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
    Check it out 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
    See more articles Justin Smoak
  • • How Should We View Ichiro Suzuki's 4,257 All-Time Professional Hits?
    2016
    See more articles Ichiro Suzuki
  • • 2016 MLB Rookies Already Going Toe-to-Toe with Historic 2015 Class
    2016
    See also Kris Bryant
  • • Asian and American Ballplayers Face Unusual Challenges When Living Abroad
    2016
    Read about Oakland Athletics
  • • Is Dodgers' Revamped Rotation Good Enough to Compete for 2016 Title?
    2016
    Continue with Los Angeles Dodgers
  • • How the LA Dodgers Can Still Build a 2016 Powerhouse After January 1
    2015

Top Nippon Professional 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 Hiroki Kuroda
  • • Source: Deal reached; Ohtani can be posted
    2017
  • • History suggests Maeda will be a good value
    2016
    Click for news about 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
    Continue with Trevor Bauer
  • • Has Nathan Eovaldi Surpassed Masahiro Tanaka as Yankees' True Ace?
    2015
    Check it out Masahiro Tanaka
  • • Trevor Bauer To Sign With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars
    2023
    Continue with Trevor Bauer

Baseball Fame Ranking

  • 1. White Sox

  • 2. World Series

  • 3. Red Sox

  • . . .

  • 685. Nippon Professional

Nippon Professional fantasy rankings and news

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

Nippon Professional schedule, game

  • • Rakuten Eagles Sign Spencer Howard, Miguel Yajure
    2024
  • • Colorado should look to the east for help
    2024
    Read about Colorado Rockies
  • • Outside The Confines: Is a decision near?
    2024
    Continue with Brad Penner
  • Dave Roberts Believes Dodgers’ Elevated Brand in Japan Could Lure Roki Sasaki to LA
    • Dave Roberts Believes Dodgers’ Elevated Brand in Japan Could Lure Roki Sasaki to LA
    If Nippon Professional Baseball star Roki Sasaki leaves Japan for Major League Baseball this offseason, would he sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers? Sasaki, who helped Team Japan win gold at the World Baseball Classic in 2023, is one of the most sought after international prospects. The right-hander has drawn the attention of MLB thanks …...2024
    Click for news about Dave Roberts
  • Longtime NPB star expected to sign with MLB team this offseason
    • Longtime NPB star 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....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
    See more articles Tomoyuki Sugano
  • • Royals Rumblings - News for April 12, 2024
    2024
    Click for news about Mark DeRosa
  • Colorado Rockies game no. 5 thread: Dakota Hudson vs. Shota Imanaga
    • Colorado Rockies game no. 5 thread: Dakota Hudson vs. Shota Imanaga
    Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports The Rockies finally get out of the Desert and head to the Windy City! Spring training has wrapped up and so has the Colorado Rockies’ opening series. In the first four games of the season, the Rockies were outscored 32-14 — the worst four-game run differential (-18) to start a season in franchise history — and their 14 runs scored are tied for the third-fewest ...2024
  • • BCB After Dark: Who will be the King of K?
    2024
    Read about Matt Marton
  • • Outside The Confines: Matt Chapman goes back to the Bay
    2024
    Check it out Matt Chapman

Nippon Professional rumors, scandals

  • • BCB After Dark: What about Yusei Kikuchi?
    2024
    Check it out Yusei Kikuchi scandal
  • • NPB’s Chiba Lotte Marines Sign Jimmy Cordero
    2023
    Visit the page Chiba Lotte rumors
  • • Trevor Bauer To Sign With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars
    2023
  • • 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
    Check it out Freddy Galvis whispers
  • • 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
    Check it out Ichiro Suzuki rumors
  • • 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
  • • 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
    Visit the page Scott Miller gossip
  • • MLB International Signing Rules Must Be Altered with Improved US-Cuba Relations
    2014
  • • How This MLB Offseason Will Impact the 2015-2016 Free-Agent Class
    2014

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