Gourriel introduced by DeNA

Gourriel introduced by DeNA

YOKOHAMA, Japan - DeNA BayStars general manager Shigeru Takada (L) puts a cap on Yulieski Gourriel, DeNA's newly acquired Cuban infielder, at a Yokohama hotel near Tokyo on June 2, 2014, where DeNA introduced Gourriel.

Takada introduced as Yakult Swallows manager

Takada introduced as Yakult Swallows manager

TOKYO, Japan - Newly appointed Yakult Swallows manager Shigeru Takada (L) and Tadashi Suzuki, president of the Central League baseball club, shake hands during a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 25.

Nippon Ham welcomes fastballer Darvish with open arms

Nippon Ham welcomes fastballer Darvish with open arms

TOKYO, Japan - Tohoku high school right-hander Yu Darvish, who was named in the first round of the amateur draft by the Nippon Ham Fighters, shake hands with team general manager Shigeru Takada paid a courtesy call on him in Sendai on Nov. 18.

Nippon Ham welcomes fastballer Darvish with open arms

Nippon Ham welcomes fastballer Darvish with open arms

TOKYO, Japan - Tohoku high school right-hander Yu Darvish, who was named in the first round of the amateur draft by the Nippon Ham Fighters, shake hands with team general manager Shigeru Takada paid a courtesy call on him in Sendai on Nov. 18. (Kyodo)

Takada introduced as Yakult Swallows manager

Takada introduced as Yakult Swallows manager

TOKYO, Japan - Newly appointed Yakult Swallows manager Shigeru Takada (L) and Tadashi Suzuki, president of the Central League baseball club, shake hands during a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 25. (Kyodo)

BayStars stop waiting for Gurriel, nullify his contract

BayStars stop waiting for Gurriel, nullify his contract

Shigeru Takada, general manager of Japanese Central League baseball club DeNA BayStars, speaks to reporters at Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, on April 2, 2015. Takada said the club has informed slugging infielder Yulieski Gurriel of Cuba that his contract has been nullified. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo