The Yomiuri Giants announced Dec. 24 the signing of former Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Rusty Ryal, son of Mark Ryal who played in 1991 and 1992 with the Chunichi Dragons.
On Jan. 8, the Giants also signed pitcher Brian Bannister, a five-year major league veteran with the Mets and Royals and son of ex-Yakult Swallows (1990) hurler Floyd Bannister.
Mark and Rusty and Floyd and Brian will join Marty and Matt Keough as the second and third father-son foreigners in Japanese baseball history.