New York – Free agent right-hander Corey Kluber, a two-time Cy Young Award winner coming off two injury-plagued seasons, is reportedly joining the New York Yankees. According to multiple media outlets, the 34-year-old veteran and the Yankees agreed to terms Friday on a one-year, $11 million deal. Kluber was the […]
Marines suspend Ikuhiro Kiyota indefinitely over violation of COVID-19 rules
The Chiba Lotte Marines on Friday suspended outfielder Ikuhiro Kiyota indefinitely after he breached the Pacific League club’s rules regarding the coronavirus to dine with an outsider and then made a false report. Kiyota dined with the person in late September when Lotte was on the road in Sapporo. The […]
Tomoyuki Sugano signs record-high contract with Giants
One week after rejecting a big-league contract, ace right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano re-signed with the Yomiuri Giants on a one-year deal reported as the highest in Japanese baseball history. Tomoyuki Sugano speaks to reporters after signing a reported ¥800 million, one-year contract with the Giants on Thursday. | YOMIURI GIANTS / […]
Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame reveals Class of 2021
The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed two more members on Thursday, with Katsuji Kawashima, who managed Japan during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and author Kazuo Sayama making up the class of 2021. Both were selected as part of the special committee. “This is a great honor for me,” Kawashima […]
Hisashi Iwakuma joins Mariners as special assignment coach
Seattle – The Seattle Mariners announced Tuesday that former pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma has rejoined the organization as a special assignment coach reporting directly to general manager Jerry Dipoto. He will begin his new role, which will include scouting talent from Japan, during spring training, which is expected to open in […]
BayStars swing for global reputation in 10th year under DeNA
Yokohama – The Yokohama DeNA BayStars have become one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s fastest-growing clubs over the last decade, and they have no plan to slow down anytime soon. The 2021 season will mark the Central League team’s 10th anniversary since DeNA took over as its owner, and the BayStars […]
Frustrated Tomoyuki Sugano aims high for 2021 after failed bid to land MLB deal
Yomiuri Giants ace Tomoyuki Sugano said Sunday he turned down offers from major league clubs because none of them were 100% convincing but added that returning for another season in Japan didn’t leave him without regret. Speaking to reporters online, the 31-year-old Sugano expressed some frustration with the conditions under […]
Hideo Nomo reacts to death of legendary Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda
Los Angeles – Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo reacted with shock, grief and gratitude in the wake of the loss of Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, who died from a heart attack on Thursday at age 93. Lasorda, who won two World Series titles during his 20-year […]
Bad timing spoils Tomoyuki Sugano’s MLB aspirations
It simply wasn’t the right time for Tomoyuki Sugano. After sacrificing one year of his career for the Yomiuri Giants — after the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters won his rights in the 2011 draft — and then giving the Kyojin eight seasons of elite-level pitching, the door to MLB finally […]
Beloved Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda dies at 93
Los Angeles – Tommy Lasorda, the colorful and cantankerous former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers who led the team to four National League pennants and two World Series titles in the 1970s and ’80s, has died. He was 93. Lasorda, who spent more than 70 years in the Dodgers […]