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Baseball: Japan's WBC training

Hanshin Tigers infielder Teruaki Sato takes fielding practice during the Japanese national baseball team's training camp in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 14, 2026.

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[Breaking News]Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 11 Kyodo - Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 2026, as he will play for the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in the 2026 season.

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[Breaking News]Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

TORONTO, Canada, Jan. 6 Kyodo - Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto poses for a photo during his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026, alongside his agent Scott Boras and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto attends his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto poses for a photo while showing his No. 7 jersey during his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto attends his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto receives his new team jersey from Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins during an introductory press conference in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026, after joining the major league club.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto (C) poses for a photo during his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026, alongside his agent Scott Boras (R) and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto (C) attends his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026, with his agent Scott Boras (R) and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto (C) attends his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026, with his agent Scott Boras (R) and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto puts on a team cap during his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto attends his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Baseball: Kazuma Okamoto

Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto poses for a photo while showing his No. 7 jersey during his first press conference after joining the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Yomiuri Giants put 'Tokyo' back on uniform

TOKYO, Japan - Yomiuri Giants manager Tatsunori Hara (2nd from L) joins players of his team in showing off the Japanese professional baseball club's new uniforms in Tokyo on Dec. 22, 2014, with a version for away games sporting the word "TOKYO" across the chest for the first time in 13 seasons. The players posing with Hara are (from L) pitcher Yuki Koyama, catcher Seiji Kobayashi and infielder Daisuke Fujimura.

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Fighters clinch pennant

SAPPORO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters infielder Sho Nakata (R) and catcher Satoshi Nakajima (27) hug each other as they celebrate the team's pennant victory in Japanese professional baseball's Pacific League at Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido on Oct. 2, 2012. The Fighters claimed their first title in three years without even having to suit up for a game, thanks to the Seibu Lions' 5-3 defeat to the Lotte Marines.

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Nishioka at Twins camp

LEE COUNTY, United States - Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka (R) of the Minnesota Twins chats with Alexi Casilla after playing catch at the team's training camp in Lee County, Florida, on Feb. 24, 2011.

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Nishioka joins Twins' spring training

LEE COUNTY, United States - The Minnesota Twins' Tsuyoshi Nishioka (R) takes part in fielding practice as manager Ron Gardenhire looks on, during the Japanese infielder's first day at the club's spring training in Lee County, Florida, on Feb. 23, 2011.

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Nishioka joins Twins training camp

LEE COUNTY, United States - Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who signed a three-year contract with the major league club Minnesota Twins, takes batting practice at the team's training camp site in Lee County, Florida, on Feb. 7, 2011.

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Nishioka to join Twins camp

FORT MYERS, United States - Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka arrives at Fort Myers airport in Florida on Feb. 5, 2011, to join the Minnesota Twins' training camp.

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Twins' Nishioka departs to U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who signed a three-year contract with the major league club Minnesota Twins, speaks to reporters ahead of his departure to Minneapolis at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on Feb. 2, 2011. The 26-year-old former Chiba Lotte Marines star is scheduled to arrive in Florida on Feb. 6 to join the Twins' spring training.

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Twins' Nishioka departs to U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who signed a three-year contract with the major league club Minnesota Twins, speaks to reporters ahead of his departure to Minneapolis at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on Feb. 2, 2011. The 26-year-old former Chiba Lotte Marines star is scheduled to arrive in Florida on Feb. 6 to join the Twins' spring training.

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Nishioka vows to repay Minnesota with results

MINNEAPOLIS, United States - Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka poses in his new Minnesota Twins uniform on Dec. 18, 2010, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The former Chiba Lotte Marines star vowed to repay Minnesota with results after signing with the Twins on $9 million contract with a club option for 2014.

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Kaz Matsui hopes to make 'new history' with Rakuten

SENDAI, Japan - Former major league infielder Kazuo Matsui poses for photos at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi in Sendai on Nov. 29, 2010, before joining the Rakuten Eagles. Matsui said at a press conference he hopes he can respond to his new club's expectations after rejoining Japanese baseball for the first time in eight years.

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Kaz Matsui hopes to make 'new history' with Rakuten

SENDAI, Japan - Former major league infielder Kazuo Matsui speaks during a press conference in Sendai on Nov. 29, 2010, before joining the Rakuten Eagles. Matsui said he hopes he can respond to his new club's expectations after rejoining Japanese baseball for the first time in eight years.

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Japan's Kurihara gears up for WBC semifinal vs U.S.

LOS ANGELES, United States - Hiroshima Carp first baseman Kenta Kurihara practices his fielding during a workout for the Japanese team during the World Baseball Classic in Compton in a Los Angeles suburb March 21. Kurihara joined the team the same day prior to a WBC semifinal against the United States, replacing Yokohama BayStars infielder Shuichi Murata, who suffered a pulled right hamstring and returned to Japan.

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Japan's Kurihara gears up for WBC semifinal vs U.S.

LOS ANGELES, United States - Hiroshima Carp first baseman Kenta Kurihara practices his batting during a workout for the Japanese team during the World Baseball Classic in Compton in a Los Angeles suburb March 21. Kurihara joined the team the same day prior to a WBC semifinal against the United States, replacing Yokohama BayStars infielder Shuichi Murata, who suffered a pulled right hamstring and returned to Japan.

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Japan routs Australia in WBC warm-up game

OSAKA, Japan - Yokohama BayStars infielder Shuichi Murata of the Japanese national team for the World Baseball Classic hits an RBI single to center in the fifth inning of an exhibition match with the Australian national team at Kyocera Dome Feb. 24. Japan beat Australia 8-2.

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Yomiuri infielder Gonzalez suspended for doping

TOKYO, Japan - Nippon Professional Baseball said on May 26 it has handed Yomiuri Giants infielder Luis Gonzalez a one-year suspension due to doping violations. Acting Japanese baseball commissioner Yasuchika Negoro (R) sits besides commissioner's office head Kazuo Hasegawa (L) who announced the decision. Yomiuri said the same day that the Central League club plans to release the 28-year-old Venezuelan shortly.

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Matsuzaka, K. Matsui together at World Series training session

BOSTON, United States - Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (R) and Colorado Rockies infielder Kazuo Matsui share a joke during a training session at Fenway Park on Oct. 24, a day before the two teams faced off in the World Series opener, with the Rockies losing 13-1. This is the sixth consecutive year featuring at least one Japanese player in the World Series.

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Japanese boy invited to Chicago-N.Y. baseball game

CHICAGO, United States - Takuya Matsumoto (C), a 13-year-old Japanese boy who underwent a heart transplant at a Chicago hospital in April, shakes hands with New York Yankees' outfielder Hideki Matsui. Takuya was invited to a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on June 6 by White Sox infielder Tadahito Iguchi (R).

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Iwamura ready to work hard for Tampa Bay

ST. PETERSBURG, United States - Akinori Iwamura speaks at an introductory news conference at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Feb. 9. The Japanese infielder has joined the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on a three-year deal worth $7.7 million.

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Tampa infielder Iwamura chomping at the bit

TAMPA, United States - Japanese infielder Akinori Iwamura adjust his watch to the local time on arrival at Tampa airport in Florida on Feb. 6, eager for his first taste of action at spring training with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. (MLB)

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Tampa infielder Iwamura chomping at the bit

TAMPA, United States - Japanese infielder Akinori Iwamura speaks with reporters on arrival at Tampa airport in Florida on FEb. 6, eager for his first taste of action at spring training with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. ''I really can't wait to get going and play ball,'' Iwamura said. ''I want to meet my new teammates and start communicating with them as soon as I can.'' (MLB)

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Tampa infielder Iwamura hopes to make mark in majors

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese infielder Akinori Iwamura expressed relief at being signed to a three-year deal worth $7.7 million by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and is targeting a .300 batting average in his first season in the major leagues. He made the remarks at a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 16.

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Yakult infielder Iwamura hoping to near deal with Tampa

NARITA, Japan - Yakult Swallows infielder Akinori Iwamura answers media questions at Narita airport on Dec. 1 prior to departure for the United States to meet his agent Alan Nero and pay a visit to St. Petersburg, home of the Devil Rays, who have won the rights to negotiate with the Japanese All-Star third baseman under the posting system.

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Major leaguers again beat Japan All-Star team

OSAKA, Japan - Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard (L) in greeted by New York Mets infielder David Wright after hitting a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the eighth inning of an exhibition game against a select Japan All-Star team at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on Nov. 7. The major leaguers beat the Japanese team 7-2 for their fourth win in a row.

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BayStars infielder Ishii gets 2,000th career hit

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Yokohama BayStars infielder Takuro Ishii singles to center in the first inning off Hisashi Aikyo to get his 2,000th career hit in an interleague game against the Rakuten Eagles at Yokohama Stadium on May 11. He became the 34th player in Japanese baseball to reach the milestone.

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Japan vs. China in inaugural WBC

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka (back) hits a three-run homer off Chinese pitcher Zhao Quansheng (front) in the fifth inning of a game in the inaugural World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome on March 3.

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Kadota, Yamada, 3 others inducted into Hall of Fame

TOKYO, Japan - Three-time Pacific League home run king Hiromitsu Kadota (R) and Hisashi Yamada (C), ace pitcher for the Hankyu Braves in their heyday in the 1970s, have been inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, the selection panel said Jan. 10. Three others also inducted are former Chunichi Dragons infielder Morimichi Takagi (2nd from R), former baseball commissioner Hiromori Kawashima (4th from R) and former Nishitetsu Lions infielder and baseball commentator Yasumitsu Toyoda (L).

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Nakamura voices intent to play in Triple-A

LOS ANGELES, United States - Japanese infielder Norihiro Nakamura, who had failed to make the Los Angeles Dodgers' Opening Day roster, tells reporters April 4 that he intends to play with Triple-A Las Vegas. Nakamura signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Feb. 3.

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(2)Nakamura doubles in preseason debut for Dodgers

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida - Japanese infielder Norihiro Nakamura (R) chats with New York Mets second baseman and countryman Kazuo Matsui after hitting a ground-rule double to left in his first at-bat of the preseason on March 5 after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training. Nakamura was signed to a minor-league contract. ( Kyodo)

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(1)Nakamura doubles in preseason debut for Dodgers

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida - Japanese infielder Norihiro Nakamura hit a ground-rule double to left off New York Mets starter Steve Trachsel in his first at-bat of the preseason on March 5 after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training. Nakamura was signed to a minor-league contract after leaving Japan's Kintetsu Buffaloes baseball club.

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Baseball: Nakamura ready for Dodgers test

ORLANDO, United States - Japanese baseball player Norihiro Nakamura arrives at Orlando airport March 1 to join the Los Angeles Dodgers training camp at Vero Beach. The five-time All-Star infielder signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers in February. (MLB)

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Dodgers present posting system bid for Nakamura

NEW YORK, United States - The Los Angeles Dodgers have submitted a bid for the right to negotiate a contract with Japanese infielder Norihiro Nakamura (in file photo) through the posting system before the Jan. 28 deadline, baseball officials said.

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Nakamura training in L.A. as he awaits bids

LOS ANGELES, United States - Seven-time Japanese All-Star infielder Norihiro Nakamura (C), who has completed procedures to enter the major leagues via the posting system, arrived with his family in Los Angeles on Jan. 25.

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Daiei's Matsunaka wins triple crown as PL season ends

FUKUOKA, Japan - Daiei Hawks infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka speaks to reporters at Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka on Sept. 27 after becoming the seventh triple crown winner in Japanese baseball as he finishes the Pacific League season at the top of the three major batting categories.