Name	Date	Swings	Notes
Norichika Aoki	2/25		Played in an intra-squad game; started in right and batted lead-off; went 0-for-1 (ground out to pitcher, former Hawk Brad Penny).  Nikkan Sports 2/26/2014
Munenori Kawasaki	2/25		Played in an intra-squad game; was a designated hitter and batted eleventh; went 1-for-1 (single to left in the 3rd); moved to left in the 4th.  Nikkan Sports 2/26/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Yoshinori Tateyama	BP	2/25	17	Faced 4 hitters; allowed one could-be hit.  Nikkan Sports 2/26/2014
Tomo Ohka	ISG	2/25		Pitched in an intra-squad game; tossed one inning and retired the side in order (F7, G5, F9).  Sponichi 2/26/2014
Kyuji Fujikawa	Bullpen	2/24		Threw 20-25 pitches; first session since he had Tommy John surgery last June.  Nikkan Sports 2/26/2014, MLB.com 2/25/2014

===

Boston Red Sox

Shunsuke Watanabe is scheduled to pitch in a practice game against a college team on the 27th.  He tossed batting practice to minor league hitters on the 25th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/26/2014

Chicago Cubs

Tsuyoshi Wada will pitch in an intra-squad game on the 26th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/26/2014

New York Yankees

Masahiro Tanaka will make his spring training debut on March 1.  From Newsday's Erik Boland:

Masahiro Tanaka's spring training debut will come the same day as CC Sabathia's and Hiroki Kuroda's.

... Joe Girardi disclosed after Tuesday's 8-3 victory over Florida State in the Yankees' exhibition opener that the trio would all pitch Saturday afternoon against the Phillies at Steinbrenner Field.

Sabathia will start the game, followed by Kuroda and Tanaka, whose every move this spring has been extensively chronicled by the Japanese and American media.

... Each pitcher will be limited to two innings or 35 pitches, whichever comes first.

Source: Newsday 2/25/2014

===

The Yankees played pool after after workouts on the 24th.  Tanaka was paired up with Francisco Cervelli.

Source: Sanspo 2/26/2014

===

Yoshinori Tateyama is slated to pitch in an exhibition game against the Tigers on the 28th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/26/2014

Texas Rangers

Ron Washington officially told Yu Darvish on the 25th that he was going to be the opening day starter.  From the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant:

This isn’t exactly breaking news, but Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington officially informed Yu Darvish he’d be the club’s opening day starter against Philadelphia on March 31.

... “He doesn’t show much excitement ever,” Washington said. “So when he shrugged his shoulders a little, I took that for excitement. I wanted to get it out of the way early so he could just prepare. The message that goes along with it is that he’s our horse.”

Source: Dallas Morning News 2/25/2014

===

Kensuke Tanaka did not show up on the field for practices on the 25th because he was getting treatment for some tightness in his lower back.  He told reporters he felt some discomfort in the area during practices on the 24th.  He is considered day-to-day.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/26/2014

Name	Date	Swings	Notes
Norichika Aoki	2/24		Played in intra-squad game; started in right and batted lead-off; went 1-for-2: single to center.  Sanspo 2/25/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/25/2014
Kensuke Tanaka	2/24		Played in intra-squad game; started at second and batted lead-off; went 0-for-4; flied out to left against Yu Darvish.  Sanspo 2/25/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/25/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Hiroki Kuroda	BP	2/24	36	18 swings, 7 grounders.  Sanspo 2/25/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/25/2014
Masahiro Tanaka	BP	2/24	35	Faced Scott Sizemore, Dean Anna, and Zelous Wheeler; 10 swings: 5 swings and misses, 2 fly balls to the outfield, 1 infield grounder, 2 could-be hits; Francisco Cervelli caught the session; second session during spring training.  Daily Sports 2/25/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/25/2014
Daisuke Matsuzaka	BP	2/24	44	Faced 6 hitters.  Sanspo 2/25/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/25/2014
Koji Uehara	BP	2/24	25	Sanspo 2/25/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/25/2014
Junichi Tazawa	BP	2/24	25	Sanspo 2/25/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/25/2014
Yu Darvish	ISG	2/24	13	Started intra-squad game; 7 for strikes; did not allow a hit or a run over an inning of work.  ZakZak 2/25/2014

===

New York Mets

• Daisuke Matsuzaka will start an exhibition game against the Cardinals on March 2.  Source: Sanspo 2/25/2014, MLB.com 2/23/2014

New York Yankees

• Hiroki Kuroda is scheduled to toss a bullpen session on the 26th and could pitch in an exhibition game against the Phillies on March 1.  Source: Nikkan Sports 2/25/2014
• Masahiro Tanaka spent some time signing autographs for fans after practices on the 23rd for the first time since the start of spring training.  Source: Sanspo 2/25/2014

Toronto Blue Jays

• Munenori Kawasaki shaved his hair down the night before workouts on the 24th.  He told reporters it was hot and that the hair cut was refreshing.  Source: Sanspo 2/25/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Tsuyoshi Wada	Bullpen	2/23	31	Before general workouts; from wind-up and set positions; spoke to coaches for about twenty minutes after the session.  Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014
Yoshinori Tateyama	BP	2/23	23	Faced three hitters; first outing as batting practice pitcher.  Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014
Tomo Ohka	BP	2/23	34	Faced four hitters; mixed in some fastballs; second outing as batting practice pitcher.  Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014
Shunsuke Watanabe	BP	2/23	15	First outing as batting practice pitcher.  Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014
Yu Darvish	BP	2/22	34	Face three hitters; mixed pitches; fourteen swings; two hit into play, one could-be hit; threw at about eighty percent; third outing as batting practice pitcher.  Sanspo 2/24/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014, Sponichi 2/24/2014

===

Boston Red Sox

• Shunsuke Watanabe is scheduled to toss batting practice on the 25th.  He could also pitch in a practice game against a college team on the 27th.  Source: Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014

New York Mets

• Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled to toss batting practice on the 24th.  Source: Sanspo 2/24/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014

New York Yankees

• Masahiro Tanaka is slated to toss batting practice on the 24th.  Source: Sponichi 2/24/2014
• Yoshinori Tateyama is scheduled to toss batting practice on the 25th.  Source: Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014
• The bat Ichiro Suzuki used during the 2012 playoffs (October 13, 2012. vs Detroit, bat used to hit a two-run homer) was reportedly auctioned off for 8,365 US dollars by Heritage Auctions.  Source: Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014
• Hideki Matsui threw 112 pitches as a batting practice pitcher on the 23rd.  Source: Sanspo 2/24/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/24/2014

Texas Rangers

• An ASICS television commercial featuring Yu Darvish hit the airwaves in Japan on the 23rd.  Source: official press release, Sponichi 2/24/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Yu Darvish	BP	2/22	34	MLB.com 2/22/2014
Shunsuke Watanabe	Bullpen	2/21?	34	Nikkan Sports 2/23/2014

===

Texas Rangers

Yu Darvish is slated to pitch in an intra-squad game on the 24th and an exhibition game against the Royals on the 27th.  One to two innings for each outing.

Source: MLB.com 2/22/2014

Boston Red Sox

Koji Uehara will pitch in his first exhibition game on March 3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He is also scheduled to toss batting practice on the 24th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/23/2014

Shunsuke Watanabe is scheduled to toss batting practice on the 23rd.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/23/2014

Toronto Blue Jays

Munenori Kawasaki joined a number of players after practices on the 22nd for a commercial shoot (footage for television and in-stadium public relations materials).

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/23/2014

New York Yankees

The media had a chance to see Masahiro Tanaka donning the full pinstripe uniform on the 22nd for photo day.

Source: Sponichi 2/23/2014

Hideki Matsui tossed some indoor batting practice on the 22nd.

Source: Sponichi 2/23/2014

Name	Date	Swings	Notes
Norichika Aoki	2/21	26	Sanspo 2/22/2014
Munenori Kawasaki	2/21	4	Saw 36 pitches.  Nikkan Sports 2/22/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Hiroki Kuroda	BP	2/21	25	Faced 4 hitters; allowed one-could-be hit; felt he threw just one good pitch; discussed release points with coaches.  Sponichi 2/22/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2014
Masahiro Tanaka	BP	2/21	25	Faced 4 hitters (Austin Romine, Ramon Flores, Antoan Richardson, and Adonis Garcia); 4 swings: 1 strike swinging, 2 fouled off, 1 grounded out to second.  Sponichi 2/22/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2014
Masahiro Tanaka	Bullpen	2/21	35	Tossed session before BP outing.  Sponichi 2/21/2014, Sanspo 2/22/2014
Daisuke Matsuzaka	Bullpen	2/21	33	Including breaking pitches.  Sanspo 2/22/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2014
Tsuyoshi Wada	BP	2/21	35	Was throwing in the low-140km/h range; not particularly satisfied with the session.  Sanspo 2/22/2014, Sponichi 2/22/2014
Tomo Ohka	BP	2/21	30	Faced 3 hitters; one strongly hit ball; all knuckleballs.  Sanspo 2/22/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/22/2014

===

Yu Darvish worked out indoors on the 21st.  He is scheduled to toss batting practice on the 22nd.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/22/2014

===

Munenori Kawasaki worked out at short and third during fielding practice on the 21st.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/22/2014

===

Kensuke Tanaka took two types of gloves with him to spring training -- he is prepared to play either the infield or outfield.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/22/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Yu Darvish	BP	2/20	29	Sponichi 2/21/2014, Sponichi 2/21/2014
Koji Uehara	Bullpen	2/20	46	Including forkball; A.J. Pierzynski caught the session.  Nikkan Sports 2/21/2014
Junichi Tazawa	Bullpen	2/20	47	Nikkan Sports 2/21/2014

===

Yu Darvish will pitch in an intra-squad game on the 24th.  He is also scheduled to pitch in six exhibition games.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/21/2014

===

Tsuyoshi Wada is scheduled to toss batting practice on the 21st.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/21/2014

===

Hiroki Kuroda was inspired to keep pitching by Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera.  From MLB.com's Bryan Hoch:

... "With Andy and Mariano gone, I'm still a year younger than Andy and a few years younger than Mariano," Kuroda said through an interpreter. "That sort of pushed me to probably go for one more year."

Kuroda turned 39 in February, and he said that the biggest thing on his mind was the age issue. He had been inspired in particular by Pettitte, who gave the Yankees 185 1/3 innings as a 41-year-old last season.

"It was encouraging for me to see a pitcher who's older than me to go out there and pitch in a rotation for a whole season," Kuroda said. "Now that he's gone, I'm really surprised. His presence was really big for me."

... Yankees manager Joe Girardi has acknowledged that he may have pushed Kuroda too hard with the club fighting to stay in playoff contention. Kuroda said that he is proud to have exceeded 200 innings in each of the last three seasons, but understands that it may be more important to finish the season strong.

Source: MLB.com 2/20/2014

Masahiro Tanaka was excused from general workouts on the 19th because he had to take care of some paperwork.  He finally made it onto the field for light workouts at around 11:06am.

Source: Sanspo 2/21/2014

Tanaka is scheduled to toss batting practice on the 21st.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/21/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Tsuyoshi Wada	Bullpen	2/19	30	Third session.  Nikkan Sports 2/20/2014
Tomo Ohka	Bullpen	2/19	35	First session; mostly knuckleballs.  Nikkan Sports 2/20/2014
Yoshinori Tateyama	Bullpen	2/19	40	First session.  Nikkan Sports 2/20/2014
Shunsuke Watanabe	Bullpen	2/19	38	Including breaking pitch; using minor league baseball.  Nikkan Sports 2/20/2014

===

Shunsuke Watanabe met former teammate Julio Zuleta and posted some thoughts on his blog.  He mentions that Zuleta is interested in returning to Japan.

Source: Daily Sports 2/20/2014

===

Ichiro Suzuki told the Associated Press he did not get frustrated with the news of the Yankees signing Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran.  His reaction, was "oops."  Asked about reaching 3,000 hits, he said it was not a goal he was thinking about right now, but might should he ever get closer to it.  He added that he was taking things one year at a time.

Source: Associated Press 2/19/2014 (Washington Post)

The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Tokyo will be celebrating Ichiro's 4,000th NPB+MLB hit with a special exhibition that will open on February 22 and run for about year.  Various memorabilia, including uniforms from the three organizations he has played for (Orix, Seattle, New York), will be put on display.

Source: official announcement

===

Masahiro Tanaka could toss some batting practice on the 21st.

Source: Daily Sports 2/20/2014

===

Funai Electric extended their partnership agreement with the Boston Red Sox.

Source: Press Release 2/19/2014 (Funai)

===

The New York Daily News' Christian Red has written a piece on Hideki Matsui.

“The timing of when I retired and when (my son) was born was pretty much the same time. It was a big turning point in my life,” Matsui says. “My life is so drastically different, to where (my son) almost makes you forget about baseball, or that I was even playing baseball. It’s been great. I’ve been able to spend a lot of time with my family and my son. It’s been a wonderful experience so far. I feel I’m very lucky to spend this much time with my family.”

Source: New York Daily News 2/18/2014 via Nikkan Sports 2/20/2014

Matsui flew from his home in New York to Tampa on the 19th.

Source: Tokyo Sports 2/20/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Hiroki Kuroda	Bullpen	2/18	45	Brian McCann caught the session; a lot of cutters.  Nikkan Sports 2/19/2014
Masahiro Tanaka	Bullpen	2/18	35	Squatting catcher; second session since the start of spring training, third since arriving in the United States; J.R. Murphy caught the session.  Sponichi 2/18/2014, Sponichi 2/18/2014
Koji Uehara	Bullpen	2/18	35	Including forkball.  Sanspo 2/19/2014
Junichi Tazawa	Bullpen	2/18	33	Including breaking pitches.  Sanspo 2/19/2014
Yu Darvish	BP	2/18	19	Two minor-league hitters, one from the left side and one from the right; broke one bat; including breaking pitches.  Nikkan Sports 2/19/2014

===

Oakland Athletics' General Manager Billy Beane told reporters Hiroyuki Nakajima was not offer an invitation to spring training because there were other pitchers and position players they wanted to take a look at.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/19/2014

===

Sanspo has posted portions of Masahiro Tanaka's interaction with the media after workouts on the 17th.

You mentioned something about needing more, other than general practices.

I don't think it's really necessary to make it public, or to do stuff like that in front of everyone.  I will do the things I can during my own time.

You must feel tired after all the time you spend in an unfamiliar environment.

So far, I don't really feel that tired.

You seem a little quieter and calmer during practices, in comparison to how you were in Japan.

It doesn't make things difficult.

In terms of workouts, do you wish you could do more with the baseball?

Not really.  I feel I am getting enough.

Yoshinori Tateyama joined camp.

We spoke a little.  He asked if I was getting used to things.

You would be tossing bullpen sessions if you were in Japan right now, but since you're throwing less now, is there something you're focusing on?

Not really.  I am just doing things as I usually do.

Source: Sanspo 2/19/2014

Momoiro Clover Z's Ikuze! Kaito Shojo was played in the weight training room before general workouts on the 17th.  Team staff knew Tanaka was a MomoClo fan and searched YouTube for the music.

Source: Sanspo 2/19/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Daisuke Matsuzaka	Bullpen	2/17	43	Everything except the forkball.  Sanspo 2/18/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/18/2014
Shunsuke Watanabe	Bullpen	2/17	29	Including breaking pitches.  Sanspo 2/18/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/18/2014

===

Yu Darvish spent some time signing autographs after workouts on the 17th.  He is scheduled to toss batting practice on the 18th.

Source: Sanspo 2/18/2014

Sanspo has posted a portion of Darvish's interaction with the media on the 16th.

How is the hip you hurt last season feeling?

It took a while.  I felt some discomfort until about mid-January.  But I think it got better after going to Hawaii in February.

Did the warmer weather help?

Yeah.  Japan was cold, so I was worried about heading to spring training straight from there.  But there's nothing in Arizona and I thought Hawaii, with its beaches, might be the better option.

Were you able to relax?

I felt good emotionally, but more than that, I was able to do a lot of running.

Your body seems leaner.

I get that a lot, maybe it's the hair and the facial hair.  But I have definitely gotten leaner, or at least, my fat percentage dropped.

Source: Sanspo 2/18/2014

===

Tomo Ohka did not participate in workouts on the 17th because he was getting a physical.  He is expected to join workouts on the 18th.

Source: Sanspo 2/18/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/18/2014

===

Shunsuke Watanabe could pitch in a practice game against a college team on the 27th.

Source: Sanspo 2/18/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/18/2014

===

General workouts for Masahiro Tanaka on the 16th started at 10:45am and ended at around 12:00pm.  The schedule included playing catch (with Hiroki Kuroda), infield drills, fielding practice, and running (about forty meters, eight times).  He also did some weight training before general workouts.

Source: Sanspo 2/18/2014

Sanspo has posted portions of Tanaka's interaction with the media on the 16th.

How was the running?

It wasn't a long distance, so I managed it.

Hiroki Kuroda helped explained the workouts to you.

Even if the coaches explain it to me, I don't understand a word they say, so that really helped.

Do you know when you will start facing hitters?

We have not spoken about that yet.  I have no idea.

You were joking around with teammates in English. (Referring to the ribbing he received from teammates about his one-mile run on the 15th)

There are some things I can make out, but that was kind of messing around.  I sort of knew what was going on.

There are Japanese fans.

I can more or less tell by how they pronounce my name, like if they were Japanese, but I don't know if they are from Japan.  But it makes me happy if there are people [that come to see me from Japan].

Fielding practice in the bullpen is rare in Japan.

It is the same as taking grounders on the mound.  It really didn't feel any different.

What are your thoughts on fielding?

Doing the things that I can, this kind of thinking applies on defense as well.  If I can record an out, then I want to make sure I can do it.  I feel defense is very important.

Source: Sanspo 2/18/2014

On-the-field general workouts on the 17th lasted about an hour (according to Tokyo Sports, they started at 10:30am and ended around 11:20am).  Tanaka is scheduled to toss his third bullpen on the 18th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/18/2014, Tokyo Sports 2/18/2014

Yoshinori Tateyama joined workouts on the 17th as planned.

Source: Sanspo 2/18/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/18/2014

Name	Type	Date	NP	Notes
Yu Darvish	Bullpen	2/16	34	Second session; including breaking pitches.  Nikkan Sports 2/17/2014
Tsuyoshi Wada	Bullpen	2/16	33	Threw everything except cutter.  Nikkan Sports 2/17/2014

===

Yu Darvish told reporters he had discomfort in his hips until early January and that it did not fully go away until he went to Hawaii in February.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/17/2014

ESPN's Richard Durrett has a bit more:

... Darvish told the Japanese reporters shortly after his 34-pitch bullpen session -- his first of spring training and ninth this offseason -- that his trainer recommended he quit lifting heavy weights and that the hip felt better starting in mid-January.

Darvish said he trained mostly in Japan this offseason, but did spend some time in Hawaii and that the warm weather also helped him physically. He was given an injection right after the season for pain in his back, but reports shortly after that were that his back felt better.

Source: ESPN 2/16/2014

===

Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa played some catch and did some long toss on the 16th.

Source: Sanspo 2/17/2014

Shunsuke Watanabe was assigned the number thirty-one.  He posted a photo of his jersey on his blog.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/17/2014

===

Norichika Aoki made his way to Arizona from Los Angeles on the 15th and worked out at the Royals' spring training facilities on the 16th.

Source: Sanspo 2/17/2014

===

Munenori Kawasaki has been working out at the Blue Jay's spring training facilities.  His locker is next to Tomo Ohka's.

Source: Sanspo 2/17/2014

===

Workouts for Hiroki Kuroda and Masahiro Tanaka on the 16th were mostly centered around fielding drills.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/17/2014

Joe Girardi told reporters on the 16th that he heard Yoshinori Tateyama was going to start workouts on the 17th.

Source: Sanpso 2/17/2014

===

Sanspo has posted addition more of Tanaka's interaction with the media from the 15th.

Your first day is done.  How different are things compared to Japan?

In general, practice times are shorter.

GM Brian Cashman mentioned he considered you the team's third starter.

Once you get on the mound, it no longer matter where you pitch in the rotation.  I just want to think about winning when I take the mound.  I do not care where I pitch in the rotation.

How different are the balls and mound?

There are obviously differences, but I will never be able to pitch if I keep on talking about those things.  There are even differences in mound heights from stadium to stadium in Japan.  Right now, those things aren't really stressing me out.

Will you be able to adjust?

I have to.

How do you relax?

I like to relax in my own room, that was the case in Japan too.  I also like golf, so if I can get some time in here, that would be nice.

Were you embarrassed to change in a clubhouse full of reporters?

I just changed as I normally do today.  If people want to watch, feel free.

Source: Sanspo 2/17/2014

According to a report by ZakZak, Tanaka did not apply for an international drivers license and is relying on his PR assistant, Yoshiki Sato, to drive him around.  He apparently does not like driving.

Source: ZakZak 2/17/2014

===

Hideki Matsui is scheduled to join the Yankees as a special spring training instructor on the 20th.  Matsui left for New York out of Narita Airport on the 17th.

Source: Sanspo 2/17/2014, Nikkan Sports 2/17/2014