Baseball

Ace right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano will return to the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Central League after his posting system deadline to sign a contract with a major league team expired, MLB.com reported Thursday. Sugano, 31, who recently won his second CL MVP award, had until 5 p.m. in New York to […]

The Yomiuri Giants have agreed to a contract with longtime major league first baseman and designated hitter Justin Smoak, the Central League champions said Thursday. Yomiuri will sign the 34-year-old switch hitter as a free agent from the San Francisco Giants on a two-year deal believed to be worth $3 […]

Yokohama – Hampered by excessive, old-fashioned training methods, a win-at-all-costs mentality and the heavy burden placed on parents, participation rates in Japanese youth baseball have been tumbling at a rapid pace. In an attempt to save the sport from a self-inflicted crisis, some youth clubs, sports academics and even professional […]

Outfielder Haruki Nishikawa remains a member of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, the club announced Sunday, after his deadline to sign with a major league team elapsed. The 28-year-old center fielder had until 5 p.m. on Saturday in New York to complete a deal with a new team to play […]

Los Angeles – Yu Darvish is excited to compete for titles with the San Diego Padres following his move in a blockbuster trade from the Chicago Cubs, the 34-year-old pitcher said Thursday. In an emotional online press conference, Darvish expressed shock at the suddenness of his departure from the Cubs […]

Slugging first baseman and outfielder Eric Thames, who rejuvenated his major league career with three monster seasons in South Korea, is poised to return to Asia after agreeing to terms with the Yomiuri Giants, the Central League club announced Wednesday. The 34-year-old will arrive in Japan with 96 career home […]

San Diego – The aggressive San Diego Padres traded for another big arm on Tuesday night, acquiring Yu Darvish in a blockbuster deal with the Chicago Cubs. The Padres got Darvish, catcher Victor Caratini and cash from the Cubs for right-hander Zach Davies and four young minor leaguers. The switch-hitting […]

San Diego – Blake Snell gave up the ball in Game 6 of the World Series, shaking his head after manager Kevin Cash’s curious pitching change. With three years left on his contract, Snell hardly considered that could be his final moment as a Tampa Bay Ray. The San Diego […]

The San Diego Padres’ whirlwind offseason continued Monday night as they reportedly acquired right-hander Yu Darvish from the Chicago Cubs as part of a seven-player deal. The trade, which was first reported by MLB.com, comes one day after San Diego landed left-hander Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays. The […]

The Hanshin Tigers, one of Japan’s longest-established pro baseball franchises, is expanding its reach into the community by forming a women’s baseball team this offseason. Former Tiger Yuya Nohara will serve as manager of the “Hanshin Tigers Women” in the team’s inaugural 2021 season, which starts with preseason training in […]