Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' right-hander Aoyagi

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' right-hander Aoyagi

Koyo Aoyagi of the Hanshin Tigers is pictured during the Japanese pro baseball team's spring camp workouts in Ginoza, Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on Feb. 1, 2023.

Baseball: Japan Series

Baseball: Japan Series

Hanshin Tigers starting pitcher Koyo Aoyagi takes the mound against the Orix Buffaloes in Game 7 of the Japan Series baseball championship at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on Nov. 5, 2023.

Baseball: Japan Series

Baseball: Japan Series

Hanshin Tigers starting pitcher Koyo Aoyagi takes the mound against the Orix Buffaloes in Game 7 of the Japan Series baseball championship at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on Nov. 5, 2023.

Baseball in Japan

Baseball in Japan

Koyo Aoyagi of the Hanshin Tigers pitches against the DeNA BayStars in a Central League baseball game at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on July 22, 2022.

Baseball in Japan

Baseball in Japan

Koyo Aoyagi of the Hanshin Tigers pitches against the DeNA BayStars in a Central League baseball game at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on July 22, 2022.

Baseball in Japan

Baseball in Japan

Koyo Aoyagi of the Hanshin Tigers delivers a pitch during a Central League baseball game against the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome on April 29, 2022.

Baseball in Japan

Baseball in Japan

Koyo Aoyagi of the Hanshin Tigers delivers a pitch during a Central League baseball game against the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome on April 29, 2022.

Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japanese pitcher Koyo Aoyagi allows a three-run home run to Triston Casas of the United States in the fifth inning of their Tokyo Olympic second-round game at Yokohama baseball stadium near Tokyo on Aug. 2, 2021.

Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan pitcher Koyo Aoyagi reacts after the Dominican Republic's Charlie Valerio hit a two-run double during the seventh inning of the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament's opener on July 28, 2021, at Fukushima Azuma stadium, northeastern Japan.

Baseball: Preparation for season start in Japan

Baseball: Preparation for season start in Japan

Koyo Aoyagi of the Hanshin Tigers pitches during a practice game against the Hiroshima Carp at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on June 2, 2020. Japan's coronavirus-delayed baseball season is scheduled to begin on June 19. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Baseball: Preparation for season start in Japan

Baseball: Preparation for season start in Japan

Koyo Aoyagi of the Hanshin Tigers pitches during a practice game against the Hiroshima Carp at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on June 2, 2020. Japan's coronavirus-delayed baseball season is scheduled to begin on June 19. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo