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Knuckleball princess heads to U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida departs from Narita airport near Tokyo for the United States on Jan. 31, 2011. Yoshida said she hopes to receive an offer from a U.S. independent league club for the second year in a row by pitching well in the Arizona Winter League in February.

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Knuckleballer Yoshida returns from U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese female professional pitcher Eri Yoshida, a rare knuckleballer, speaks to reporters at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture on Sept. 30, 2010. Yoshida returned from the United States after finishing the season with the Chico Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League.

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Famale knuckleballer takes 2nd loss

CHICO, United States - Eri Yoshida from Japan (C) high-fives a teammate in the dugout of a ballpark in Chico, California, on July 23, 2010. Yoshida, who started against the Orange County Flyers, suffered her second loss, giving up six runs in 3-1/3 innings.

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Knuckleballer Yoshida debuts in U.S.

CHICO, California - Japanese knuckleballer Eri Yoshida with the U.S. independent league club Chico Outlaws chats with a coach in the dugout during a game against the Tijuana Cimarrones in Chico, California, on May 29, 2010. The female starter allowed four runs and five hits in three innings in the club's 8-6 victory.

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Knuckleballer Yoshida debuts in U.S.

CHICO, California - Japanese female pitcher Eri Yoshida with the U.S. independent league club Chico Outlaws reacts after hitting an RBI single against the Tijuana Cimarrones during a game in Chico, California, on May 29, 2010. The female starter allowed four runs and five hits in three innings in the club's 8-6 victory.

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Knuckleballer Yoshida debuts in U.S.

CHICO, California - Japanese knuckleballer Eri Yoshida with the U.S. independent league club Chico Outlaws pitches against the Tijuana Cimarrones in Chico, California, on May 29, 2010. The female starter allowed four runs and five hits in three innings in the club's 8-6 victory.

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Knuckleballer Yoshida introduced by Outlaws

CHICO, United States - Japanese baseball pitcher Eri Yoshida poses for a photo in her new Chico Outlaws jersey during a news conference on May 7, 2010, in Chico, California. The 18-year-old female knuckleballer was introduced by the Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League as its new member.

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Knuckleballer Yoshida introduced by Outlaws

CHICO, United States - Japanese baseball pitcher Eri Yoshida speaks during a news conference in Chico, California, on May 7, 2010. The 18-year-old female knuckleballer was introduced by the Chico Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League as its new member.

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Female knuckleballer Yoshida leaves for U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida waves as she prepares to leave Narita airport, east of Tokyo, for the United States on May 7, 2010, to play in the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League. The 18-year-old will start her first season for the California-based Chico Outlaws.

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Female knuckleballer Yoshida leaves for U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida poses for a photo at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on May 7, 2010, ahead of her departure for the United States to play in the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League. The 18-year-old will start her first season with the California-based Chico Outlaws.

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Female knuckleballer Yoshida eyes majors

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida, who is set to join the Chico Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League, poses for photos in Tokyo on April 13. ''Now that I'm going to make a start in the United States, I want to aim for the major leagues,'' the 18-year-old said.

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MLB pitcher helps Japan knuckleballer

FORT MYERS, United States - Japanese pitcher Eri Yoshida throws a ball while receiving coaching from Boston Red Sox player Tim Wakefield on how better to pitch her trademark ball in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 2, 2010. Yoshida, now playing in a U.S. independent league, received instruction while visiting the major league club's spring camp.

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MLB pitcher helps Japan knuckleballer

FORT MYERS, United States - Japanese pitcher Eri Yoshida throws a ball while receiving coaching from Boston Red Sox player Tim Wakefield on how better to pitch her trademark ball in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 2, 2010. Yoshida, now playing in a U.S. independent league, received instruction while visiting the major league club's spring camp.

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Female knuckleballer gets offer from U.S. independent club

YUMA, United States - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida speaks to reporters in Yuma, Arizona, on Feb. 26, 2010, about a contract offer from the Chico Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League. Yoshida is currently pitching for the Yuma Scorpions in the Arizona Winter League.

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Japan knuckleballer Yoshida pitches in U.S. game

YUMA, United States - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida of the Yuma Scorpions starts the opener of the Arizona Winter League against Team Canada in Yuma on Jan. 29, 2010. The 18-year-old gave up five runs in two innings.

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Japanese female knuckleballer in Arizona Winter League opener

YUMA, United States - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida practices in Yuma, Arizona, on Jan. 28, 2010, before starting for the Yuma Scorpions in the opening game of the Arizona Winter League. The 18-year-old Yoshida will start against Team Canada on Jan. 29 at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma.

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Female knuckleballer to join Mie if she plays in Japan

NAGOYA, Japan - Female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida speaks at a news conference in Tsu on Dec. 28, 2009, after she agreed with the Mie Three Arrows of the new independent Japan-Future League to join the team should she decide to play in Japan after her stint in the Arizona Winter League.

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Female knuckleballer to join Mie if she plays in Japan

NAGOYA, Japan - Female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida (R) and Keiichiro Kabeya, representative of the Mie Three Arrows of the new independent Japan-Future League, shake hands during a news conference in Tsu on Dec. 28, 2009. Yoshida agreed to join the club should she decide to play in Japan after her stint in the Arizona Winter League.

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Female knuckleballer Yoshida to pursue new challenge overseas

OSAKA, Japan - Female professional knuckleballer Eri Yoshida (file photo), who played this season in the independent league with the Kobe 9 Cruise, said on her blog on Dec. 15, 2009, she will participate in the Arizona Winter League starting in January.

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Female knuckleballer Yoshida throws last pitch in Kobe uniform

SUITA, Japan - Female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida of the Kobe 9 Cruise pitches in an all-star game of the Kansai Independent League at a Suita ballpark in Osaka Prefecture on Oct. 4, 2009, for her last performance wearing the Kobe uniform. Yoshida, the first woman to play professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, is scheduled to leave the financially troubled club when her contract expires at the end of this month.

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Female knuckleballer Yoshida to leave independent league club

AKASHI, Japan - Female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida of the Kobe 9 Cruise pitches against the Kishu Rangers in their Kansai Independent League game in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, on Oct. 1, 2009. Yoshida, the first woman to play professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, is scheduled to leave the financially troubled club when her contract expires at the end of this month.

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Japanese female knuckleballer to take time off

OSAKA, Japan - Eri Yoshida, the first Japanese female pro baseball player, is photographed at JR Shin-Osaka Station on her way back to her parents' home in Yokohama after leaving her independent league club indefinitely, citing health reasons.

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise manager Yoshihiro Nakada (L) congratulates pitcher Eri Yoshida after the end of an opening game of the Kansai independent league against the Osaka Gold Villicanes at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of the ninth inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging.

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise pitcher Eri Yoshida (C) leaves the mound after pitching in the ninth inning of an opening Kansai independent league game against the Osaka Gold Villicanes at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of an inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging.

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise pitcher Eri Yoshida (R) speaks to reporters after the end of an opening game of the Kansai independent league against the Osaka Gold Villicanes at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of the ninth inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging.

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise pitcher Eri Yoshida (C) celebrates with her teammates after beating the Osaka Gold Villicanes 5-0 in an opening game of the Kansai independent league at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of the ninth inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging.

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise's Eri Yoshida pitches in the ninth inning of an opening Kansai independent league game against the Osaka Gold Villicanes at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of an inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging.

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise pitcher Eri Yoshida (R) speaks to reporters after the end of an opening game of the Kansai independent league against the Osaka Gold Villicanes at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of the ninth inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging. (Kyodo)

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise pitcher Eri Yoshida (C) celebrates with her teammates after beating the Osaka Gold Villicanes 5-0 in an opening game of the Kansai independent league at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of the ninth inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging. (Kyodo)

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise's Eri Yoshida pitches in the ninth inning of an opening Kansai independent league game against the Osaka Gold Villicanes at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of an inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging. (Kyodo)

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise pitcher Eri Yoshida (C) leaves the mound after pitching in the ninth inning of an opening Kansai independent league game against the Osaka Gold Villicanes at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of an inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging. (Kyodo)

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Japanese female knuckleballer makes debut against men

OSAKA, Japan - Kobe 9 Cruise manager Yoshihiro Nakada (L) congratulates pitcher Eri Yoshida after the end of an opening game of the Kansai independent league against the Osaka Gold Villicanes at Kyocera Stadium in Osaka on March 27. Yoshida, 17, the first woman to play in professional baseball alongside male players in Japan, worked one-third of the ninth inning, walking one and striking out a batter swinging. (Kyodo)

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Knuckleballer Yoshida returns from U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese female professional pitcher Eri Yoshida, a rare knuckleballer, speaks to reporters at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture on Sept. 30, 2010. Yoshida returned from the United States after finishing the season with the Chico Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League. (Kyodo)

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Famale knuckleballer takes 2nd loss

CHICO, United States - Eri Yoshida from Japan (C) high-fives a teammate in the dugout of a ballpark in Chico, California, on July 23, 2010. Yoshida, who started against the Orange County Flyers, suffered her second loss, giving up six runs in 3-1/3 innings. (Kyodo)

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Knuckleballer Yoshida introduced by Outlaws

CHICO, United States - Japanese baseball pitcher Eri Yoshida poses for a photo in her new Chico Outlaws jersey during a news conference on May 7, 2010, in Chico, California. The 18-year-old female knuckleballer was introduced by the Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League as its new member. (Kyodo)

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Knuckleballer Yoshida introduced by Outlaws

CHICO, United States - Japanese baseball pitcher Eri Yoshida speaks during a news conference in Chico, California, on May 7, 2010. The 18-year-old female knuckleballer was introduced by the Chico Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League as its new member. (Kyodo)

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Female knuckleballer Yoshida leaves for U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida waves as she prepares to leave Narita airport, east of Tokyo, for the United States on May 7, 2010, to play in the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League. The 18-year-old will start her first season for the California-based Chico Outlaws. (Kyodo)

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Female knuckleballer Yoshida leaves for U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida poses for a photo at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on May 7, 2010, ahead of her departure for the United States to play in the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League. The 18-year-old will start her first season with the California-based Chico Outlaws. (Kyodo)

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Knuckleballer Yoshida debuts in U.S.

CHICO, California - Japanese female pitcher Eri Yoshida with the U.S. independent league club Chico Outlaws reacts after hitting an RBI single against the Tijuana Cimarrones during a game in Chico, California, on May 29, 2010. The female starter allowed four runs and five hits in three innings in the club's 8-6 victory. (Kyodo)

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Knuckleballer Yoshida debuts in U.S.

CHICO, California - Japanese knuckleballer Eri Yoshida with the U.S. independent league club Chico Outlaws chats with a coach in the dugout during a game against the Tijuana Cimarrones in Chico, California, on May 29, 2010. The female starter allowed four runs and five hits in three innings in the club's 8-6 victory. (Kyodo)

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Knuckleballer Yoshida debuts in U.S.

CHICO, California - Japanese knuckleballer Eri Yoshida with the U.S. independent league club Chico Outlaws pitches against the Tijuana Cimarrones in Chico, California, on May 29, 2010. The female starter allowed four runs and five hits in three innings in the club's 8-6 victory. (Kyodo)

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Female knuckleballer Yoshida eyes majors

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida, who is set to join the Chico Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League, poses for photos in Tokyo on April 13. ''Now that I'm going to make a start in the United States, I want to aim for the major leagues,'' the 18-year-old said. (Kyodo)

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MLB pitcher helps Japan knuckleballer

FORT MYERS, United States - Japanese pitcher Eri Yoshida throws a ball while receiving coaching from Boston Red Sox player Tim Wakefield on how better to pitch her trademark ball in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 2, 2010. Yoshida, now playing in a U.S. independent league, received instruction while visiting the major league club's spring camp. (Kyodo)

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MLB pitcher helps Japan knuckleballer

FORT MYERS, United States - Japanese pitcher Eri Yoshida throws a ball while receiving coaching from Boston Red Sox player Tim Wakefield on how better to pitch her trademark ball in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 2, 2010. Yoshida, now playing in a U.S. independent league, received instruction while visiting the major league club's spring camp. (Kyodo)

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Female knuckleballer gets offer from U.S. independent club

YUMA, United States - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida speaks to reporters in Yuma, Arizona, on Feb. 26, 2010, about a contract offer from the Chico Outlaws of the U.S. independent Golden Baseball League. Yoshida is currently pitching for the Yuma Scorpions in the Arizona Winter League. (Kyodo)

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Knuckleball princess heads to U.S.

NARITA, Japan - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida departs from Narita airport near Tokyo for the United States on Jan. 31, 2011. Yoshida said she hopes to receive an offer from a U.S. independent league club for the second year in a row by pitching well in the Arizona Winter League in February. (Kyodo)

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Japan knuckleballer Yoshida pitches in U.S. game

YUMA, United States - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida of the Yuma Scorpions starts the opener of the Arizona Winter League against Team Canada in Yuma on Jan. 29, 2010. The 18-year-old gave up five runs in two innings. (Kyodo)

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Japanese female knuckleballer in Arizona Winter League opener

YUMA, United States - Japanese female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida practices in Yuma, Arizona, on Jan. 28, 2010, before starting for the Yuma Scorpions in the opening game of the Arizona Winter League. The 18-year-old Yoshida will start against Team Canada on Jan. 29 at Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: Ohka released by Orioles

Undated photo shows right-handed knuckleballer Tomokazu Ohka, who joined the Baltimore Orioles on a minor league contract in December 2016. Ohka has been released by the Orioles, sources close to the matter said on March 28, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Ohka lands minor-league deal with Orioles

File photo taken in November 2016 shows Japanese knuckleballer Tomokazu Ohka pitching in front of major league scouts in Arizona. The Baltimore Orioles said on Dec. 15, 2016, they have signed a minor-league contract with Ohka. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo