Japanese League | Phillips signs with Hiroshima
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:23:58 -0700

The Sports Network reports the Hiroshima Carp of the Japanese League signed IF Andy Phillips (Yankees) to a one-year deal worth 40 million yen, which is about $415,000.

Japanese League | Valentine petition draws 100,000 backers
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:22:27 -0700

The Associated Press reports fans supporting Bobby Valentine submitted a petition with more than 100,000 signatures to the head office of the Chiba Lotte Marines Monday, June 15, in a bid to keep the American on as manager beyond the 2009 Japanese baseball season.

Japanese League | Alfonzo signs with Yomiuri
Mon, 09 Feb 2009 06:09:44 -0800

MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports the Yomiuri Giants, of the Japanese League, signed IF Edgardo Alfonzo to a one-year, $380,000 deal.

Japanese League | More on Iguchi
Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:51:36 -0800

Updating a previous report, The Associated Press reports the Chiba Lotte Marines signed free-agent 2B Tadahito Iguchi (Phillies) to a three-year deal with an annual salary of $1.9 million Monday, Jan. 19, according to the Nikkansports newspaper.

Japanese League | Iguchi signs
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:30:43 -0800

CBSSports.com reports the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese League signed free-agent 2B Tadahito Iguchi (Phillies) Monday, Jan. 19. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Japanese League | More on Johnson
Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:14:19 -0800

Updating a previous item, The Associated Press reports Japanese League 1B Dan Johnson's deal with the Yokohama BayStars is a one-year deal worth $1.2 million.

Japanese League | Valentine endorses Uehara
Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:50:29 -0800

Dan Connolly, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Japanese League manager Bobby Valentine said the Baltimore Orioles made a smart investment by signing SP Koji Uehara to a two-year, $10 million deal. "If you can't take a risk of $5 million per year for a pitcher like him, then you can't take any risks at all," Valentine said. "I think it is a good signing."

Japanese League | Johnson deal official
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:01:43 -0800

Marc Topkin, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the sale of former Tampa Bay Rays 1B Dan Johnson to the Yokohama Bay Stars of the Japanese League became official Wednesday, Jan. 7. Johnson likely would have spent the 2009 season with the Rays at Class AAA.

Japanese League | Iguchi offered three-year deal
Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:48:16 -0800

The Kyodo News reports the Lotte Marines, of the Japanese League, offered free-agent 2B Tadahito Iguchi a three-year deal worth about $6.5 million.

Japanese League | Johnson signs
Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:23:43 -0800

CBSSports.com reports Tampa Bay Rays 1B Dan Johnson signed with the Yokohama BayStars of the Japanese League Monday, Dec. 22. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Japanese League | Orix acquires Leicester
Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:00:33 -0800

JapanBall.com reports the Orix Buffaloes, of the Japanese League, acquired RP Jon Leicester (Orioles).

Japanese League | Mench terms
Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:44:10 -0800

Updating previous reports, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports Japanese League OF Kevin Mench received a one-year, $2 million deal from the Hanshin Tigers.

Japanese League | Dohmann signs with Hiroshima
Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:43:59 -0800

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports RP Scott Dohmann (Rays) signed a one-year, $650,000 deal with the Hiroshima Carp of the Japanese League. The contract includes incentives that could bring the overall value to almost $1 million.

Japanese League | Mastny signs
Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:46:39 -0800

CBSSports.com reports Cleveland Indians RP Tom Mastny signed with the Yokohama Bay Stars of the Japanese League Tuesday, Dec. 9. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Japanese League | Walrond signs with Yokahama
Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:41:44 -0800

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports the Yokahama Bay Stars, of the Japanese League, signed RP Les Walrond (Blue Jays).

Japanese League | Bocachica re-signs with Seibu
Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:41:32 -0800

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports the Seibu Lions, of the Japanese League, re-signed OF Hiram Bocachica.

Japanese League | Childers signs
Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:41:04 -0800

CBSSports.com reports Philadelphia Phillies P Matt Childers signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese League Saturday, Dec. 6. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Japanese League | Angered at signing of Tazawa
Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:35:46 -0800

Sean McAdam, of the Boston Herald, reports the Nippon professional baseball team is angered at all of the teams that showed interest in Boston Red Sox P Junichi Tazawa and say the Boston Red Sox violated a "gentleman's agreement," by signing him. However, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said the team did not violate any rules or agreements.

Japanese League | Mench signs
Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:12:25 -0800

CBSSports.com reports Toronto Blue Jays OF Kevin Mench signed with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese League Monday, Dec. 1. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Japanese League | Germano signs
Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:05:57 -0800

CBSSports.com reports San Diego Padres SP Justin Germano signed to play for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Japanese League last week. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Japanese League | D'Antona signs
Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:54:50 -0800

Updating a previous report, The Arizona Republic reports the Arizona Diamondbacks released 1B Jamie D'Antona Monday, Nov. 24, so he could sign a contract with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the Japanese League.

Japanese League | Loe signs
Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:25:48 -0800

Jerry Crasnick, of ESPN.com, reports Texas Rangers P Kameron Loe signed a two-year, $2 million deal with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Pacific League Thursday, Nov. 20, according to a baseball source. The Rangers are selling Loe's rights for an undisclosed amount.

Japanese League | Bocachica helps Seibu to title
Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:22:51 -0800

The Associated Press reports former MLB OF Hiram Bocachica hit a solo home run to help lead his Seibu Lions to a Japan Series title.

Japanese League | Tazawa coming over
Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:16:19 -0700

ESPN.com reports Japanese League P Junichi Tazawa, whose fastball reaches 97 mph, asked Japanese League teams not to draft him so he could pursue a career in the majors. He went undrafted and plans to file for free agency in the major leagues.

Japanese League | Iwase not coming over
Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:39:00 -0700

NPBTracker.com reports Chunichi Dragons CL Hitoki Iwase will decline to file for free agency and remain in the Japanese League.

Japanese League | Gonzalez suspended for failed drug test
Mon, 26 May 2008 09:21:14 -0700

The Associated Press reports former Colorado Rockies 2B Luis A. Gonzalez was suspended one year by Japanese baseball after testing positive for amphetamines. Gonzalez was playing with the Yomiuri Giants. Yomiuri plans to release the 28-year-old player shortly.

Japanese League | Swallows' Riggs denies buying or using PEDs
Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:08:06 -0800

Updating a previous item, USAToday.com's Paul White reports Yakult Swallows IF Adam Riggs (Japanese League), who was one of the players named in the Mitchell Report, has denied buying or using performance-enhancing drugs. Riggs has passed drug tests in Japan the past two years.

Japanese League | Tigers' Williams has passed various drug tests
Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:37:40 -0800

Updating a previous item, USAToday.com's Paul White reports Hanshin Tigers RP Jeff Williams (Japanese League), who was one of the players named in the Mitchell Report, has passed various drug tests in recent years. Former New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski alleged Williams bought steroids in December 2004. Williams has played in Japan since 2003 and has passed all drug testing there since the Japanese professional baseball leagues began conducting drug testing two years ago. Williams also passed drug tests for the 2006 Olympics when he played for Australia. "I trust him," said Hanshin club president Nobuo Minami. "He flatly denied the use of any banned substances and said he is ready to accept fresh checkups at any time."

Japanese League | Cabrera currently a free agent
Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:29:34 -0800

USAToday.com's Paul White reports free-agent OF Alex Cabrera (Japanese League) has become a free agent after he and his 2007 team, the Seibu Lions, could not agree on a 2008 contract. Cabrera, who is currently playing winter ball in Venezuela, had been negotiating with the Orix Buffaloes, but there have been reports that those talks have been suspended after Cabrera's name appeared in the Mitchell Report. Cabrera has denied ever using or having steroids.

Japanese League | Bigbie's Japan deal in jeopardy?
Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:07:14 -0800

USAToday.com's Paul White reports an agreement between the Japanese League's Yokohama Bay Stars and free-agent OF Larry Bigbie (Dodgers) for the 2008 season may be in jeopardy since Bigbie's name appeared in the Mitchell Report, which stated he had admitted using human growth hormone to help recover from a previous injury. Yokohama team officials said they have been reviewing Bigbie's medical records. The contract, which was agreed upon before the Mitchell Report came out, was not scheduled to be signed until January.

Japanese League | Sledge signs with Nippon
Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:53:21 -0800

Updating a previous item, USAToday.com's Paul White reports the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters have signed former MLB OF Terrmel Sledge for the 2008 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Japanese League | Kuroda pursues free agency
Sat, 20 Oct 2007 05:09:44 -0700

Updating previous reports, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that Japanese League SP Hiroki Kuroda has decided to pursue free agency. He told his old team, the Hiroshima Carp, that he was opting out of the final three years of his four-year contract, so that he could find work in the United States. Kuroda is leaving Japan this weekend to fly to the U.S., in order to have his right elbow checked, to prove to interested MLB teams that his elbow is sound before negotiations go much further.

Japanese League | Kuroda may have interest in signing
Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:40:28 -0700

The Chicago Tribune reports Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda will soon decide whether to exercise an opt-out clause and come to Major League Baseball. Because he's an 11-year Japanese veteran, teams don't have to pay a posting fee to Hiroshima just to win the right to pay him. Kuroda projects as a No. 3 or 4 starter, and Japanese sources say the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners have the most interest.

Japanese League | Seguignol re-signs with Fighters
Thu, 08 Feb 2007 19:45:16 -0800

JapanBall.com reports former major league INF Fernando Seguignol has re-signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters and will receive an estimated $2.2 million salary for one year, including performance escalators. Last year he hit .295 with 26 home runs and 77 RBI.

Japanese League | Yan signs one-year deal with Hanshin
Thu, 08 Feb 2007 19:29:03 -0800

JapanBall.com reports former major league RP Esteban Yan has signed a one-year deal with the Hanshin Tigers. Financial terms were not disclosed. He split the 2006 season pitching with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals organizations.

Japanese League | Guiel heads to Far East
Thu, 08 Feb 2007 19:04:45 -0800

Updating an earlier item, JapanBall.com reports former major league OF Aaron Guiel has signed a one-year, $650,000 deal with the Yakult Swallows. The 34-year-old gets a $250,000 signing bonus, while Yakult retains a club option for a second year. Guiel last played with the New York Yankees in 2006.

Japanese League | Buchanan signed
Tue, 02 Jan 2007 21:02:14 -0800

JapaneseBaseball.com reports former major league OF Brian Buchanan has signed an undisclosed contract with the Softbank Hawks. He last played with the St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association.

Japanese League | Guiel could play in Japan
Tue, 02 Jan 2007 21:01:37 -0800

JapaneseBaseball.com reports former major league OF Aaron Guiel is headed to the Yakult Swallows. His salary has yet to be determined, but would likely be around $1 million if he signs.

Japanese League | Nitkowski to play in Japan
Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:52:02 -0800

JapaneseBaseball.com reports former major league P C.J. Nitkowski will play for Softbank in 2007.

Japanese League | Vogelsong to play in Japan
Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:36:39 -0800

JapaneseBaseball.com reports former major league SP Ryan Vogelsong was due to sign a contract with the Hanshin Tigers.

Japanese League | Fernandez signed
Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:27:07 -0800

JapaneseBaseball.com reports the Hiroshima Carp have signed former major league P Jared Fernandez to a one-year deal worth $200,000. He spent the 2006 season with the Milwaukee Brewers and their top minor league club, Triple-A Nashville.

Japanese League | Callaway signed
Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:20:32 -0800

JapaneseBaseball.com reports the Yakult Swallows have signed former major league P Mickey Callaway to an undisclosed contract. Callaway spent the last two seasons pitching with the Hyundai Unicorns of the Korea Baseball Organization, where he averaged 15 wins a season.

Japanese League | Greisinger signed
Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:15:09 -0800

JapaneseBaseball.com reports the Yakult Swallows have signed former major league P Seth Greisinger to an undisclosed contract. Greisinger spent the 2006 season pitching with the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization.

Japanese League | Chiasson acquired
Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:09:43 -0800

JapaneseBaseball.com reports the Yokohama BayStars have acquired former major league P Scott Chiasson. Terms or transaction details were not disclosed.

Japanese League | Gonzalez re-signs with Yakult
Tue, 02 Jan 2007 19:56:19 -0800

JapaneseBaseball.com reports the Yakult Swallows have re-signed former major league P Dicky Gonzalez to a two-year contract with undisclosed financial terms.