Veteran hurler Hisashi Iwakuma will continue his playing career in Japan, with the Yomiuri Giants announcing that he has signed on with the club. Japan’s Kyodo News has the story on the deal.Iwakuma had previously announced at the tail end of the 2018 campaign that he’d return to his native country to keep pitching. The 37-year-old had made one last effort to return to the majors last year, but ended up making only a pair of minor-league appearances with the Mariners — the only MLB organization with which he has pitched.The Seattle organization got plenty of value from Iwakuma over the years, enjoying 883 2/3 total innings of 3.42 ERA ball spread over six seasons. He was a strong contributor over most of that span, though more recently shoulder problems arose that kept him off of the mound.Iwakuma will return to a league in which he long thrived before coming to the majors. Over 11 campaigns with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Iwakuma … [Read more...] about Hisashi Iwakuma signs with Yomiuri Giants
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MLB All-Stars beat Japan’s Giants ahead of exhibition tour
TOKYO -- J.T. Realmuto and Amed Rosario drove in two runs each to lead the MLB All-Stars over the Yomiuri Giants 9-6 on Thursday in a warm-up game ahead of their six-game exhibition series against Japan's national team. Juan Soto hit a double off the roof of Tokyo Dome in the third inning that scored Yadier Molina from second to give the MLB team a 4-0 lead. Realmuto then doubled in a run and Rosario added two more on a single as the MLB squad scored five runs in the inning to take a 7-0 lead. Realmuto also hit an opposite-field solo homer in the fifth to make it 8-3.After the game, Realmuto got to experience a Japanese baseball tradition when he was invited on the field to take part in the "hero interview" in front of the Tokyo Dome crowd."This is awesome, we don't do this in the United States so I'm really excited to be here with you guys," Realmuto said. "Hopefully, I can keep hitting well and be here with you again."The highlight for the home fans came in the fourth when Seiya … [Read more...] about MLB All-Stars beat Japan’s Giants ahead of exhibition tour
A’s Petit, Giants’ Meulens to tour Japan in All-Star series
By John Shea Updated 9:29 am PDT, Monday, October 29, 2018 MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 22: Yusmeiro Petit #36 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during photo day at HoHoKam Stadium on February 22, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 22: Yusmeiro Petit #36 of the Oakland Athletics poses for a portrait during photo day at HoHoKam Stadium on February 22, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) Photo: Justin Edmonds / Getty Images FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2017, file photo, San Francisco Giants bench coach Hensley Meulens takes in batting practice before the team's baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Diego. Meulens has interviewed with the Cincinnati Reds for their open managerial position and also is set to meet with the Minnesota Twins this week for the job to replace Paul Molitor. Meulens was scheduled to interview in … [Read more...] about A’s Petit, Giants’ Meulens to tour Japan in All-Star series
Mikolas’ control leading to fast start with Cardinals
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The last time the major leagues saw Miles Mikolas before this season, the right-hander was a career minor-league reliever who was learning how to become a starting pitcher with the Texas Rangers.That was in 2014, and to the surprise of few, that learning curve proved too steep — even for a former seventh-round draft pick with 66 minor-league saves on his resume.Following his failed stint in the American League, Mikolas headed to Japan's Central League where he spent the next three years learning the art of being a starter for the Yomiuri Giants. It's a move that's paid off for both the 29-year-old and the St. Louis Cardinals, who signed Mikolas to a $15.5 million, two-year contract during the offseason.Entering Wednesday's games, Mikolas was 10th in the National League with a 2.70 ERA.———More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball … [Read more...] about Mikolas’ control leading to fast start with Cardinals
In Japan, Ichiro’s move starts long ‘Sayonara’
TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki says he hasn't retired, but his move to the front office of the Seattle Mariners is seen by many in Japan as the beginning of a long "Sayonara" for a national treasure.Ichiro dominated Japanese TV talk shows, news shows and social media on Friday. National broadcasters showed historical footage of Ichiro playing with the Orix Blue Wave — his team before he joined the Mariners in 2001 — and his news conference in Seattle to explain his decision.The backdrop to many offerings was Ichiro's famous No. 51 jersey."I was choked up," his father Nobuyuki Suzuki said in an interview on TV Asahi. The elder Suzuki is famous for training his son — often described as "Zen-like" — in baseball's fundamentals, which have been diminished in the power-dominated game in the United States.Tweets in Japanese on Friday often mentioned Ichiro as a "baseball scientist," or a "student of the game." One called him a "role model for small baseball," a style … [Read more...] about In Japan, Ichiro’s move starts long ‘Sayonara’