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Baseball: Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto

Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Hiroshima Carp at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Sept. 20, 2025. The Yomiuri Giants said the following month that they are allowing the infielder to pursue a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.

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Baseball: Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto

Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto hits a solo home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Hiroshima Carp at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Sept. 20, 2025. The Yomiuri Giants said the following month that they are allowing the infielder to pursue a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.

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Baseball: Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto

Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto hits a solo home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Hiroshima Carp at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025. The Yomiuri Giants said the following month that they are allowing the infielder to pursue a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.

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Baseball: Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto

Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto hits a solo home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Hiroshima Carp at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025. The Yomiuri Giants said the following month that they are allowing the infielder to pursue a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.

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Baseball: Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto

Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto hits a solo home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Hiroshima Carp at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025. The Yomiuri Giants said the following month that they are allowing the infielder to pursue a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.

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Baseball: Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto

Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto high-fives his teammates after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Hiroshima Carp at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2025. The Yomiuri Giants said the following month that they are allowing the infielder to pursue a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.

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Baseball: Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto

Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto hits a two-run home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the DeNA BayStars at Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama on Sept. 26, 2025. The Yomiuri Giants said the following month that they are allowing the infielder to pursue a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.

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Baseball: Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto

Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto drives in two runs on a hit in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the DeNA BayStars at Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama on Sept. 27, 2025. The Yomiuri Giants said the following month that they are allowing the infielder to pursue a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.

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Baseball: Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto

Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuma Okamoto hits a two-run home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the DeNA BayStars at Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama on Sept. 26, 2025. The Yomiuri Giants said the following month that they are allowing the infielder to pursue a move to Major League Baseball this offseason.

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Baseball: Sasaki's marriage announcement

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki speaks to reporters at the club's spring training site in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 21, 2025, after revealing that he got married during the offseason.

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Baseball: Sasaki's marriage announcement

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki speaks to reporters at the club's spring training site in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 21, 2025, after revealing that he got married during the offseason.

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Baseball: Sasaki's marriage announcement

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki speaks to reporters at the club's spring training site in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 21, 2025, after revealing that he got married during the offseason.

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Baseball: Sasaki's marriage announcement

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki speaks to reporters at the club's spring training site in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 21, 2025, after revealing that he got married during the offseason.

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Carp manager's mental training in front of fire

Takahiro Arai, manager of Japanese pro baseball club Hiroshima Carp, chants a Buddhist sutra in front of a fire for about two hours at Shojoshin-in temple in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Koya, western Japan, on Jan. 18, 2025. The Central League club manager took part in offseason mental training ahead of spring training camp starting in February.

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Baseball: Japan's Matsui to test MLB free agent market

Yuki Matsui, a Japanese left-handed pitcher at the Rakuten Eagles pro baseball team who aims to sign with a major league club as a free agent this offseason, speaks at a press conference in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan, on Nov. 8, 2023.

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Baseball: Japan's Matsui to test MLB free agent market

Yuki Matsui, a Japanese left-handed pitcher at the Rakuten Eagles pro baseball team who aims to sign with a major league club as a free agent this offseason, speaks at a press conference in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan, on Nov. 8, 2023.

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Carp manager's mental training in front of fire

Japanese pro baseball club Hiroshima Carp manager Takahiro Arai chants a Buddhist sutra in front of a fire for about 90 minutes at the Shojoshin-in temple in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Koya, western Japan, on Jan. 19, 2023. The Central League club manager took part in the offseason mental training ahead of spring training camp starting in February.

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Carp manager's mental training in front of fire

Japanese pro baseball club Hiroshima Carp manager Takahiro Arai chants a Buddhist sutra in front of a fire for about 90 minutes at the Shojoshin-in temple in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Koya, western Japan, on Jan. 19, 2023. The Central League club manager took part in the offseason mental training ahead of spring training camp starting in February.

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Lion's Nakajima in press conference

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Seibu Lions captain Hiroyuki Nakajima gives a press conference at Seibu Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Jan. 10, 2012, after re-signing with the Lions for an estimated 280 million yen plus incentives. Nakajima said he plans to take another shot at playing in the majors in the following offseason as a free agent.

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Lions' Nakajima to make bid for majors via posting system

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - Seibu Lions shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima (L), accompanied by team president Hajime Igo, speaks during a press conference at Seibu Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Nov. 22, 2011. The Lions permitted Nakajima to use the posting system during the offseason in a bid to make a move to the major leagues.

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Yakult's Aoki to move to majors

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult Swallows outfielder Norichika Aoki speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 10, 2011. Aoki said he will use the posting system in the current offseason to move to the major leagues.

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Twins' Nishioka in clubhouse

LEE COUNTY, United States - Tsuyoshi Nishioka of the Minnesota Twins visits a clubhouse in Lee County, Florida, on Feb. 22, 2011, a day before the start of spring training. Nishioka joined the Twins in the offseason via the posting system from Japan Series champions the Lotte Marines.

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Irabu to make comeback in independent league in U.S.

TOKYO, Japan - Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu (file photo) has come out of retirement and made a contract with Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League, his management revealed on April 27. Released by the Hanshin Tigers in the 2004 offseason, the 39-year-old Irabu started training at the start of the year with an eye on making his comeback and is set to return to the mound in May for his first competitive game in five years.

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Injury-recovered H. Matsui takes to the field in preseason game

TAMPA, United States - New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui, who had surgery on his right knee in the offseason, takes to the field for the first time in a preseason game this season against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Tampa, Florida, on March 13.

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Baseball: H. Matsui gets 1st preseason hit

TAMPA, United States - New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui delivers his first hit of the spring in a 2-for-3 performance against the Cincinnati Reds on March 10, one day after making his first preseason appearance. Matsui, who had surgery on his right knee in the offseason, singled to left field off Homer Bailey in his first at-bat of the day and added an RBI single to center in his next at-bat to help the Yankees to a 4-0 win.

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Baseball: H. Matsui gets 1st preseason hit

TAMPA, United States - New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui delivers his first hit of the spring in a 2-for-3 performance against the Cincinnati Reds on March 10, one day after making his first preseason appearance. Matsui, who had surgery on his right knee in the offseason, singled to left field off Homer Bailey in his first at-bat of the day and added an RBI single to center in his next at-bat to help the Yankees to a 4-0 win.

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Yomiuri begins talks with free agent Ogasawara

TOKYO, Japan - Free agent infielder Michihiro Ogasawara answers media questions following his first round of talks with the Yomiuri Giants on at a Tokyo hotel on Nov. 14. Ogasawara said signing with the Central League team is one option he can take this offseason.

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Yakult gives Iwamura nod to pursue major league dream

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult Swallows infielder Akinori Iwamura answers a question by a reporter on Oct. 19 after the Central League club granted his request for a move to the major leagues in the offseason via the posting system. ''You only get one chance like this in your baseball career and I don't want to have any regrets,'' Iwamura said following his talks with Yakult President Yoshikazu Tagiku.

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Taguchi gets 1st hit in U.S.

JUPITER, United States - St. Louis Cardinals' outfielder So Taguchi recorded his first hits since joining the team in the offseason, going 2-for-3 in a practice game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 4. (MLB)

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Ichiro rebuffs scandalous magazine article

NAGOYA, Japan - Ichiro Suzuki, who signed with the Seattle Mariners from the Orix BlueWave earlier in the offseason, refutes Dec. 28 a weekly magazine article on a sex scandal involving the star outfielder and a 30-year-old housewife. Commenting on the article in the latest issue of the Friday magazine, Suzuki admitted to ''having acted imprudently'' regarding his relationship with the woman but argued that he did not know she was married.

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Baseball: Hanshin to post pitcher Fujinami

Hanshin Tigers pitcher Shintaro Fujinami speaks to reporters in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on Oct. 17, 2022. The Tigers said the same day they are going to make Fujinami available to MLB teams through the posting system this offseason. (Pool photo)

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Baseball: Hanshin to post pitcher Fujinami

Hanshin Tigers pitcher Shintaro Fujinami speaks to reporters in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on Oct. 17, 2022. The Tigers said the same day they are going to make Fujinami available to MLB teams through the posting system this offseason. (Pool photo)

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Baseball: Hanshin to post pitcher Fujinami

Hanshin Tigers pitcher Shintaro Fujinami speaks to reporters in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on Oct. 17, 2022. The Tigers said the same day they are going to make Fujinami available to MLB teams through the posting system this offseason. (Pool photo)

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Carp veteran's mental training in front of fire

Tsubasa Aizawa of the Hiroshima Carp chants a Buddhist sutra in front of a fire for about 90 minutes at the Saifuku-ji temple in Kagoshima, southwestern Japan, on Jan. 9, 2022. The veteran catcher took part in the offseason mental training for the sixth consecutive year. (Pool photo)

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Baseball: Nippon Ham manager Shinjo

Nippon Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo arrives at a baseball stadium at the club's offseason training site in Kunigami, Okinawa Prefecture, on Nov. 10, 2021.

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Baseball: Nippon Ham manager Shinjo

Nippon Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo arrives at a baseball stadium at the club's offseason training site in Kunigami, Okinawa Prefecture, on Nov. 10, 2021.

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Baseball: Nippon Ham manager Shinjo

Nippon Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo is surrounded by camera crews at the baseball club's offseason training site in Kunigami, Okinawa Prefecture, on Nov. 8, 2021.

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Baseball: Nippon Ham manager Shinjo

Nippon Ham Fighters manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo is seen on top of a vehicle at the baseball club's offseason training site in Kunigami, Okinawa Prefecture, on Nov. 8, 2021, wearing a mask for protection against the coronavirus.

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Baseball: New Dragons manager Tatsunami

Kazuyoshi Tatsunami (front), the new manager of the Chunichi Dragons baseball club, speaks to his players before the start of offseason training in Nagoya, central Japan, on Nov. 4, 2021.

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Yakult gives Iwamura nod to pursue major league dream

TOKYO, Japan - Yakult Swallows infielder Akinori Iwamura answers a question by a reporter on Oct. 19 after the Central League club granted his request for a move to the major leagues in the offseason via the posting system. ''You only get one chance like this in your baseball career and I don't want to have any regrets,'' Iwamura said following his talks with Yakult President Yoshikazu Tagiku. (Kyodo)

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Yomiuri begins talks with free agent Ogasawara

TOKYO, Japan - Free agent infielder Michihiro Ogasawara answers media questions following his first round of talks with the Yomiuri Giants on at a Tokyo hotel on Nov. 14. Ogasawara said signing with the Central League team is one option he can take this offseason. (Kyodo)

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Irabu to make comeback in independent league in U.S.

TOKYO, Japan - Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu (file photo) has come out of retirement and made a contract with Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League, his management revealed on April 27. Released by the Hanshin Tigers in the 2004 offseason, the 39-year-old Irabu started training at the start of the year with an eye on making his comeback and is set to return to the mound in May for his first competitive game in five years. (Kyodo)

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Taguchi gets 1st hit in U.S.

JUPITER, United States - St. Louis Cardinals' outfielder So Taguchi recorded his first hits since joining the team in the offseason, going 2-for-3 in a practice game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 4. (MLB)

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Extra effort earns Okazaki 1st Premier League goal

Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City (R) reacts after scoring his team's first goal during the first half of a Premier League game in London against West Ham United on Aug. 15, 2015. The goal was the first in the league for the Japanese striker, who moved from Bundesliga club Mainz in the offseason on a four-year deal. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Extra effort earns Okazaki 1st Premier League goal

Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City (R) scores his team's first goal during the first half of a Premier League game in London against West Ham United on Aug. 15, 2015. The goal was the first in the league for the Japanese striker, who moved from Bundesliga club Mainz in the offseason on a four-year deal. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Honda to spend offseason in U.S.

AC Milan midfielder Keisuke Honda arrives at Narita airport near Tokyo on June 17, 2015, before his departure to the United States for vacation and offseason training. Honda played in Japan's scoreless draw at home to Singapore a day earlier in an Asian qualifier for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Fighters OK Otani's use of posting system to go to majors

Combined photo shows Shohei Otani of the Nippon Ham Fighters pitching and hitting cleanup against the Orix Buffaloes in the final home game of the season at Sapporo Dome on Oct. 4, 2017. The Fighters said on Nov. 10 that they will allow the 23-year-old two-way player to use the posting system this offseason to make a move to the major league. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baseball: Fighters OK Otani's use of posting system to go to majors

Shohei Otani (facing camera) of the Nippon Ham Fighters high-fives teammates after throwing a complete-game shutout against the Orix Buffaloes in the final home game of the season at Sapporo Dome on Oct. 4, 2017. The Fighters said on Nov. 10 that they will allow the 23-year-old two-way player to use the posting system this offseason to make a move to the major league. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Injury-recovered H. Matsui takes to the field in preseason game

TAMPA, United States - New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui, who had surgery on his right knee in the offseason, takes to the field for the first time in a preseason game this season against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Tampa, Florida, on March 13. (Kyodo)

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Baseball: H. Matsui gets 1st preseason hit

TAMPA, Florida - New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui delivers his first hit of the spring in a 2-for-3 performance against the Cincinnati Reds on March 10, one day after making his first preseason appearance. Matsui, who had surgery on his right knee in the offseason, singled to left field off Homer Bailey in his first at-bat of the day and added an RBI single to center in his next at-bat to help the Yankees to a 4-0 win. (Kyodo)