Hanshin Tigers lefty slugger Justin Bour, who joined Nippon Professional Baseball in December, has returned to the United States the Central League club said Saturday. The Tigers signed the 32-year-old Bour to a ¥270 million contract, but he failed to live up to his salary, batting .243 with 45 RBIs […]
Rakuten pitcher Yuya Kubo to retire after 2020 season
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles right-hander Yuya Kubo will end his 18-year career as a professional baseball player at the end of the season, the Pacific League club said Saturday. The 40-year-old started his career with the Yomiuri Giants in 2003, spent one season with the DeNA Baystars in 2016 and […]
Red Sox bring back Alex Cora as manager
Boston – The Boston Red Sox are bringing back Alex Cora, rehiring the manager who led them to the 2018 World Series title less than a year after the team let him go because of his role in the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal. “I am grateful for the opportunity to […]
Justin Turner will not be disciplined by MLB for returning to field
New York – Justin Turner will not be disciplined by Major League Baseball for coming onto the field last week to celebrate the World Series title with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates after testing positive for COVID-19. The third baseman was removed after seven innings of Game 6 against Tampa […]
Yu Darvish and Kenta Maeda among finalists for 2020 Cy Young Award
Los Angeles – Japanese starters Yu Darvish and Kenta Maeda were among the six finalists announced as contenders for this season’s Cy Young Award recognizing the best pitchers in Major League Baseball. Darvish is up against Trevor Bauer and two-time winner Jacob deGrom in the National League, while Maeda faces […]
Three-team race for final spot in Pacific League Climax Series down to wire
There is only one race of real consequence remaining in this NPB season and it’s still too close to call. With the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks winning the Pacific League pennant on Tuesday and the Yomiuri Giants following suit in the CL on Friday, the only thing left up for grabs […]
Fresh off suspension, AJ Hinch takes over as Tigers manager
Detroit – As he waited out his suspension this year, AJ Hinch knew he wanted to return to baseball. The question was whether anyone in the sport would be ready to welcome him. His answer came pretty quickly. “About 30 minutes after the World Series’ last out, my phone rang,” […]
Giants wrap up pennant race by winning franchise’s 38th Central League crown
The Yomiuri Giants clinched the 38th Central League title, and 47th league championship, in franchise history after a 3-3 tie against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on Friday. Once the game between the second-place Hanshin Tigers and DeNA BayStars finished 3-3 minutes earlier, the Giants only needed to secure a tie […]
BayStars send pennant-chasing Giants home empty-handed
Yokohama – The Yomiuri Giants came to Yokohama Stadium this week to clinch the Central League pennant, but they went home empty-handed after the Yokohama DeNA BayStars completed a three-game sweep with a 5-2 win on Thursday. Despite the loss, the Giants’ magic number to clinch their second straight pennant […]
Justin Turner’s selfish celebration mars Dodgers’ World Series triumph
New York – Well, at least the contact tracing should be easy. The Dodger postseason roster would be a good place to start. So would the team picture on the field after winning the World Series. You know, the one with Justin Turner sitting front and center among all his […]