Shohei Ohtani throws curveballs for first time since Tommy John surgery
Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani made further progress in his recovery from a right elbow injury, throwing curveballs in a bullpen session on Saturday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last October. "I felt good throwing. I think it will ...
Shohei Ohtani's historic big league debut wasn't the only story coming out of the majors this year, but it often seemed like it. The ups and downs of the hard-hitting, hard-throwing American League Rookie of the Year captured imaginations on both sides of the Pacific, ...
Yoshihisa Hirano finding how his pieces fit in major league puzzle
As the Arizona Diamondbacks prepared to break camp this week, Yoshihisa Hirano's role with his new club is not yet clear. The former closer of the Orix Buffaloes, Hirano appears set to begin his first year in the major leagues as the late-inning setup man. ...
Veteran reliever Yoshihisa Hirano embraces mindset of rookie as he moves to Diamondbacks
Despite 12 years in professional baseball, Yoshihisa Hirano said Tuesday he is ready to adopt the mindset of a rookie when he joins the Arizona Diamondbacks next spring. The free-agent closer of the Orix Buffaloes last week agreed to a two-year deal with the Diamondbacks. ...
Arizona Diamondbacks finalize two-year deal with Yoshihisa Hirano
The Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent closer Yoshihisa Hirano to a two-year, $6 million contract, the team announced Friday. The 33-year-old right-hander, pitched for the Orix Buffaloes for the past 11 seasons. "I am honored to be signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks," Hirano said. "They have ...
Yoshihisa Hirano on verge of signing contract with Diamondbacks: source
Free agent Orix Buffaloes closer Yoshihisa Hirano is poised to sign a two-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, an informed source said Friday. The 33-year-old right-hander, who primarily throws a fastball and splitter, has saved 156 games for the Buffaloes since moving out of the ...
Orix Buffaloes pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano is eyeing a move to the major leagues as an international free agent, a senior official with the Pacific League club said Sunday. Hirano, who made his first appearance at the World Baseball Classic with Japan in the spring, told ...
Japan manager Kokubo decides faith in team worth more than flexibility
Japan manager Hiroki Kokubo is banking on team-building rather than flexibility as he heads into the World Baseball Classic next month. On Sunday, Kokubo clarified the seemingly peculiar choice of naming only one active pitcher on his roster as a member of the team's replacement ...
Japan fills out team for World Baseball Classic
Samurai Japan mostly filled out its roster for the 2017 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, adding eight players, but no major leaguers, to the 19 names released in December. The new players bring the roster up to 27, leaving one spot to be filled. "My tension ...
Yuki Nishi gutted it out for seven innings and earned the win as the Orix Buffaloes put the brakes on the streaking Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters with a 4-3 win in the Pacific League on Tuesday. The Fighters entered the game having won 15 straight ...
