Japanese Baseball Jun 19, 2020
Rain and empty stands greet players as long-delayed NPB season begins
by Jason Coskrey
Japanese baseball began play on Friday evening, three months after its campaign was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Jun 19, 2020
Tigers could be ready to roar in 2020
by Jason Coskrey
The Hanshin Tigers are hoping the additions they made can help them capture the CL pennant this season.
Japanese Baseball May 22, 2020
Carp let fans into practice after restrictions lifted in Hiroshima
The Hiroshima Carp opened up some parts of Mazda Stadium on Thursday, allowing some lucky fans the chance to watch the Central League club work out during their first practice in nearly a month and a half. Fans were barred from preseason games in late ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Mar 28, 2020
Members of the Hiroshima Carp voiced concerns on Saturday about the wisdom of starting the season on April 24 while the coronavirus outbreak remains unchecked. The club resumed practicing at Mazda Stadium two days after it sent players and staff home upon hearing Thursday that ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Mar 2, 2020
Carp to rip up Xavier Batista's contract at end of doping ban
The Hiroshima Carp said Monday they will terminate the contract of Xavier Batista, a Dominican player who is nearing the end of a six-month doping suspension. The 28-year-old slugger tested positive for a banned substance in June last year, and Nippon Professional Baseball announced the ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB NOTEBOOK Dec 29, 2019
Ryosuke Kikuchi joins list of players to hit wall in posting system
by Jason Coskrey
Musing about whether or not certain players will get posted is fairly commonplace in discussions about the top NPB players these days. So much so it's easy to forget being posted is only the first hurdle players under contract have to clear on the way ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Dec 27, 2019
Ryosuke Kikuchi returning to Carp after failing to secure MLB contract
Hiroshima Carp infielder Ryosuke Kikuchi on Friday doubled down on his allegiance to the Central League club, giving up a bid to move to the majors while signing a four-year contract extension. Kikuchi, a seven-time Golden Glove winner, had until 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | Sac Bunts Dec 20, 2019
Carp outfielder Seiya Suzuki poised to become household name
by Jason Coskrey
It's possible around this time next year, we might be reminiscing about the Summer of Seiya 2020. It's not at all far-fetched. There aren't many players going into the new year with as much momentum behind them as Seiya Suzuki, the Hiroshima Carp's resident superstar ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Dec 3, 2019
Former Carp reliever Jay Jackson poised to sign with Marines
Right-hander Jay Jackson, who pitched last season for the Milwaukee Brewers, and spent the previous three seasons with the Hiroshima Carp, said Tuesday he has agreed to terms with the Chiba Lotte Marines. The 32-year-old was a part of three straight Central League championship teams ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Dec 3, 2019
Carp submit application to post second baseman Ryosuke Kikuchi to majors
The Hiroshima Carp announced Tuesday they have submitted an application with NPB to post seven-time Golden Glove winner Ryosuke Kikuchi to the major leagues. Once NPB files Kikuchi's application with Major League Baseball and all 30 teams are notified of the posting, any club willing ...
Baseball Nov 12, 2019
Seiya Suzuki tearing it up at the plate for Samurai Japan
by Jason Coskrey
Seiya Suzuki changed his bat for the Super Round of the Premier12, but he didn't really have a good reason for doing so. "There's really no reason," he said on Monday night, after helping Japan to its fourth straight victory, 3-2 over Australia, of the ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | Sac Bunts Nov 11, 2019
Trio's MLB dreams may impact Samurai Japan's gold medal quest
by Jason Coskrey
The Hiroshima Carp's Ryosuke Kikuchi, quite possibly the most dynamic defensive second baseman in the world (at least in the conversation), could be playing in MLB next season. So too could the Yokohama BayStars' slugging captain Yoshitomo Tsutsugo and free agent outfielder Shogo Akiyama, one ...