As the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) season progresses, here is a look at the top news and notes from the past week in Japan’s highest level of professional baseball.
Roki Sasaki Remains Sidelined by Arm Injury
Chiba Lotte Marines star pitcher Roki Sasaki missed his second consecutive start this past weekend due to what Kyodo News reports as an unspecified injury to the right-handed pitcher’s throwing arm.
The 22-year-old phenom is 5-2 with a 1.96 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 59.2 innings this year with the Marines. If and when Chiba Lotte posts Sasaki, he will be among the most desirable pitchers, including Major League Baseball free-agent pitchers.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans can dream of a trio in their starting rotation consisting of Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani when he returns to the mound after completing his rehab process from Tommy John Surgery. Chiba Lotte Marines manager Masato Yoshii told Yahoo Japan there is no timetable for Sasaki’s return.
Thirteen-Time NPB All-Star Sent to Farm Team
Yomiuri Giants shortstop Hayato Sakamoto, a 13-time NPB All-Star and two-time Japan Series champion, was sent down to the club’s farm team to “refresh,” Yahoo Japan reported on Tuesday. Manager Shinnosuke Abe, a former player with the Giants, decided to demote his shortstop.
Sakamoto, 35, is a polished veteran in NPB but has been unable to find his stroke at the plate this season, hitting just .234 with a .590 OPS. He is in his 18th season with Yomiuri, the team he began his career with as an 18-year-old in 2007.
In 2008, Sakamoto became the first rookie to debut in the Giants Opening Day lineup since 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui in 1993. If Sakamoto can find his rhythm in the Eastern League, he should soon return to the Giants’ top club.
Chunichi Dragons Pass on MLB Draft Candidate
Tyler Wilson, an outfielder who recently graduated from Grand Canyon University, is eligible for this year’s Major League Baseball Draft and participated in the Chunichi Dragons practices this past Wednesday and Thursday.
Wilson is the son of former MLB reliever Steve Wilson, who pitched for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1988 to 93. According to Yahoo Japan, the younger Wilson has shown interest in taking his talents to Japan instead of MLB in the United States.
However, Yahoo Japan reported on Saturday that the Dragons seemed unimpressed with Wilson’s abilities during his two days of practice with the team last week and will not sign the 21-year-old to a contract. Wilson was born in Tainan, Taiwan, and hit .378 with 17 home runs and 65 RBI in 58 games in 2024 for Grand Canyon. Wilson still has many routes he can take to play professionally next season, including other NPB teams and the KBO, and he is waiting to see if he is selected in the MLB Draft.
This Day in Japanese Baseball History
On June 25, 2013, Japanese infielder Munenori Kawasaki of the Toronto Blue Jays was sent outright to Triple-A Buffalo for shortstop Jose Reyes, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list.
During his three seasons with Toronto, from 2013-15, Kawasaki was a favorite for Blue Jays fans. He was well known for his excellent sense of humor and upbeat demeanor despite never performing as one of the team’s top players.
“It’s not as if I died,” Kawasaki told reporters through a Japanese translator after his demotion. “I’m still a baseball player. It’s just that tomorrow, the field will be different. I’m still around, and I’m still here to help this team when they need it. And it’s been a terrific experience, and I really appreciate everybody – and I love everybody.”
NPB Standings as of Tuesday, June 25
Central League
Pacific League
You can stream all NPB games on DAZN.
Photo Credit: Hayato Sakamoto #6 of Team Japan scores in the third inning against Team Mexico. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
