Via Daily Sports: The Yokohama Bay Stars announced today that they will be giving the following three foreign infielders a tryout during spring camp: Wes Bankston (28), Chris Nowak (28), and Oscar Salazar (33).

The three are scheduled to arrive in Okinawa on February 4.  They will spend two days working out on their own.  Tryouts with the team will take place between February 7 and 12.  The Bay Stars plan to announce their decisions on February 12.

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Wes Bankston - Career Stats

Chris Nowak - Career Stats

Oscar Salazar - Career Stats

According to Sponichi, the Softbank Hawks are nearing a deal with Brad Penny.  They have also made uniform number 31 available for Penny.

"The deal has not been finalized yet, but I hear we are in the final stages.  We see him as a pitcher for our starting rotation," said team chairman Sadaharu Oh.

See also:

Jerry Crasnick: Brad Penny “weighing an opportunity” with Softbank Hawks

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick tweeted that Brad Penny was "weighing an opportunity" with the Softbank Hawks.

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Career Stats

Sanspo is reporting that the Chunichi Dragons will be giving right-handed pitcher Jorge Sosa (34) a tryout during spring camp in Okinawa.

UPDATE @ 9:42pm - Sosa is scheduled to arrive in Okinawa on January 28 and will begin preparations for a tryout sometime after January 29.

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Career Stats

Victor Diaz arrived in Japan on Wednesday and will attend a two-day tryout (January 29, 30) with the Chunichi Dragons in Chatan, Okinawa.  Nikkan Sports mentions that the Dragons are more or less ready to sign Diaz and that the tryouts are just a formality.

"Just think of me as a Manny Ramirez type.  I want to help the team win by driving in runs with homers.  I also have confidence in my legs and will try for 20 stolen bases and 40 doubles," said Diaz.

He continued, "I was originally played second and third.  But they moved me to the outfield because of my offense.  I think they can take advantage of my defense."

In addition to playing second and third, Diaz also has experience at all three outfield positions and first base.

See also:

Chunichi Dragons to give OF Victor Diaz a tryout

The Softbank Hawks announced today that they signed RHP Angel Castro (29) to a one-year deal worth 12M yen.  He was also assigned the number 64.

The Hawks will decide on how to use Castro after they see what he has during spring camp.

See also:

Softbank Hawks interested in 29-year-old Angel Castro (includes stats)

Nikkan Sports is reporting that the Softbank Hawks are interested in 29-year-old Angel Castro.  The Hawks are interested in Castro as a starter and feel that if he can pick up another off-speed pitch and learn how to change speeds, he could be an effective pitcher in Japan.

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Career Stats

The Yomiuri Giants announced today that they signed outfielder John Bowker (28) to a one-year deal worth an estimated 60M yen.  He has also been assigned the number 36.

See also:

Yomiuri Giants close to announcing a deal with John Bowker

Yomiuri Giants have an interest in OF John Bowker (includes stats)

The Yakult Swallows have signed 33-year-old RHP Orlando Roman to a one-year deal worth an estimated 25M yen plus incentives.  They have also assigned him the number 53.

See also:

Yakult Swallows interested in 33-year-old RHP Orlando Roman (includes stats)

The Dragons announced today that they will be giving OF Victor Diaz (30) a tryout before the start of spring camp.  Diaz is scheduled to arrive at Chubu International Airport on 1/25 and will head to Okinawa on the 1/29.  His tryout will take place on 1/30.

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Career Stats