According to Sports Hochi Osaka, the Orix Buffaloes signed thirty-four-year-old Bobby Scales to a one-year deal worth an estimated 20M yen.  They also assigned him the number four.  Scales could join the Ichi-gun roster as early as May 25 (vs Hiroshima).

According to Daily Sports, the Yokohama Bay Stars are currently looking into former Rakuten Eagle Randy Ruiz (34).

The Bay Stars are in the market for a right-handed bat with pop.  They checked in on a number of players in the US and Ruiz reportedly ended up at the top of their list.

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According to Sports Hochi, the Yomiuri Giants are close to signing a deal with Edgar Gonzalez.  The Giants have already set aside the number 42.

UPDATE @ 8:52pm - According to published reports (like Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, and Sanspo), the Giants will sign Gonzalez to a one-year deal worth an estimated 25M yen.  He will be assigned the number forty-two and will be registered as "Edgar."

UPDATE 5/18 @ 10:32pm - The Giants held a press conference for Gonzalez today at Giants Stadium in Kawasaki.

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Also mentioned by fighting ham.

According to Nikkan Sports, the Orix Buffaloes are looking to sign Bobby Scales.

The Buffaloes like Scales because he can play both the infield and the outfield and can bat from either side of the plate.

Scales signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on in January before moving on to the New York Mets in April.  ESPN's Adam Rubin tweeted on May 13 that Scales was leaving the Mets to play in Japan.

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Also mentioned by fighting ham.

According to a number of reports (like Nikkan Sports, Sponichi, Sports Hochi) the Yomiuri Giants are looking into Edgar Gonzalez.  The Giants like Gonzalez because he can play multiple positions, has knowledge of the NPB (he played for the Giants in 2010), and bats right-handed.

Gonzalez was released by the Chicago Cubs on April 29.

The Rakuten Eagles announced today that they signed LHP Jim Heuser to an Ikusei deal.  He has been assigned the number 123.

No other details are currently known.

UPDATE @ 8:25pm - Heuser signed a contract worth 2.4M yen.

See also:

Sponichi: Rakuten Eagles planning to sign James Heuser to Ikusei deal

The Yomiuri Giants announced today that they decided to pass on Yoon-Hee Nam.

The Giants are the second team to forego signing Nam after giving him a tryout this spring.

According to Sponichi, the Rakuten Eagles are planning to sign James Houser Heuser to an Ikusei contract.

Houser Heuser has been working out with the Ni-gun team ever since tossing situational batting practice in front of Senichi Hoshino on February 14.  Assuming he signs, he will likely get opportunities to pitch in the Kyoiku (Instructional) League that takes place in March.

UPDATE @ 8:20am - My apologies to Mr. Heuser on the name mistake.

See also:

Rakuten Eagles to give James Houser Heuser a tryout

The Giants held a tryout for Yoon-Hee Nam (24) at Cellular Stadium today.  Tatsunori Hara watched Nam throw thirty pitches in the bullpen.  GM Atsushi Harasawa told reporters the team will announce their decision within the next couple of days.

Yoon-Hee Nam's (24) tryout with the Nippon Ham Fighters took place on Tuesday and the team decided to pass on the left-handed pitcher.

See also:

Nippon Ham Fighters to give Yoon-Hee Nam a tryout