Daisuke Matsuzaka tossed his second bullpen session on February 3 (February 4 in Japan) -- twenty pitches to a catcher that squatted in front of the home plate.

"While I threw at about 70% last time, this time I tried to throw as hard as I could.  I am glad that I was able to throw at close to 90%," said Matsuzaka.  "A part of me is still holding back.  I want to continue examining my mechanics moving forward."

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Via Sponichi: Koji Uehara posted a blog update informing fans that he tossed around 40 pitches (fastballs) in his first bullpen session of the year.

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Tsuyoshi Wada left for Hawaii out of Haneda Airport on Sunday.  Wada plans to spend a week working out in Hawaii before heading to Baltimore to find a place to live.  He will then head down to Sarasota, Florida sometime around February 15 to prepare for the start of Spring Training.

Wada is currently at about 60-70% and is hoping to toss a bullpen session during his workouts in Hawaii (he has not yet tossed a session this year).

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Hiroki Sanada left for the US out of Narita Airport on Saturday.  He is scheduled to meet up with Hisanori Takahashi in Los Angeles and will attend tryouts over a three day period beginning on February 10.  Sanada has tossed four bullpen sessions in Japan, since his return from Hawaii on January 26.

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Hisashi Iwakuma, Wei-Ying Chen, and Norichika Aoki made it into USA Today's Countdown of the 100 Names You Need to Know: Nos. 41-60.  A snip:

50. RHP Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners, 30: He couldn't reach a contract last year after Oakland won posting rights and this year he arrives as a free agent. In the meantime, he dealt with some shoulder issues that reduced his fastball to the 90 mph range. But he uses the fastball to make an exceptional forkball more effective. He should be a solid ground-ball pitcher in a ballpark that will be forgiving if and when major league hitters zone in on the fastball.

53. OF Norichika Aoki, Brewers, 30: Signing a two-year contract all but ensures the three-time batting champion in Japan is at least Milwaukee's fourth outfielder. And he would get a quick and extended opportunity to increase his role if Ryan Braun is suspended at the start of the season. Aoki is a strong defender and had an on-base percentage over .400 four of the past five seasons. He's a line-drive hitter but less of a slashing swinger than Ichiro Suzuki.

55. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, Orioles, 26: He's younger and throws harder (92-94 mph) than most pitchers coming out of the Japanese leagues. Plus, he has a sharp slider that should be effective. After Jeremy Guthrie, the Baltimore rotation is wide open. Chen and Tsuyoshi Wada should have an edge over the Orioles' collection of promising young pitchers, most of whom struggled last year.

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The Texas Rangers' tweeted that Yu Darvish merchandise is now available:

Darvish gear is here! Get it b4 the 1st shipment is gone. Rangers Team Shop Locations: http://atmlb.com/oawrO0 Or Online: http://atmlb.com/zcWfQ2

Daisuke Matsuzaka played catch at a max distance of about 30 meters on Monday.  He then tossed his first bullpen session since 5/16/2011 -- 11 pitches to a standing catcher, 10 pitches to a squatting catcher with a little something extra on the last two pitches he threw.  Assuming no problems on Tuesday, Matsuzaka could do long distance throwing on Wednesday and another bullpen session on Thursday.

Matsuzaka also visited Yoshihiro Doi (signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles) in Ft. Lauderdale and spent about two hours with him.

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Koji Uehara is planning to return to the US in early February.  On Monday, he played catch at a distance of about 60 meters.

"I am more or less ready to go," said Uehara.  "I plan to toss two to three bullpen sessions before heading to America."

When asked about the trade rumors, he replied, "If it is going to happen, I hope it happens quickly."

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Via Sponichi, The Daily News' Andy Martino reports that the New York Mets are interested in Kosuke Fukudome.  A snip:

... According to two team insiders, the club is looking for a veteran lefthanded bat for the bench, and is shopping in the aisle that includes Rick Ankiel, Kosuke Fukudome, Raul Ibanez and Johnny Damon.

The latter two, while bigger names, appear less of a fit, because of a presumed desire for more at-bats and less defensive versatility. But Ankiel or Fukudome could provide Terry Collins with a lefty pinch-hitter, occasional platoon partner for Jason Bay and insurance against an injury to, or disappointing performance from, Bay, Lucas Duda or Andres Torres.

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Sponichi reports that KOMO News incorrectly pronounced Hisashi Iwakuma's name HIGH-SA-SHI, instead of HE-SA-SHI, during a recent news broadcast.

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Yu Darvish made Dayn Perry's "What you should watch for in 2012" list.

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Former Seibu Lion Tetsuya Iwasaki (29) left for the US on Monday to participate in the Arizona Winter League.  Iwasaki wants a chance to pitch in the Majors and is willing to sign a minor league deal.

The Seattle Mariners held a press conference at Safeco Field on Sunday to introduce Hisashi Iwakuma to the media.  He also participated in FanFest after the press conference.

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The Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly figures Koji Uehara will be traded.  A snip:

I've been told the Orioles have had sporadic conversations with the Rangers in bringing back Uehara, and it's something they still maintain interest in. But they'd have to find a trade match. And Texas GM Jon Daniels isn't expected to give away Uehara, especially to the team that wrangled two solid young players out of him for Uehara a few months ago.

Even at a $4 million price tag, Uehara, 36, has some trade value to other clubs who need back-end bullpen help. I think the safe money is that he ends up elsewhere, but after seeing him break into tears when he was traded in July, it's obvious where he'd most like to be.

And FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal tweeted that the "Orioles are pursuing Rangers' Uehara..."

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Via Nikkan Sports, the Associate Press has the following update on Tsuyoshi Nishioka:

Gardenhire also left no doubt that Jamey Carroll would start at SS with Alexi Casilla at 2B. Both of them and Tsuyoshi Nishioka can play each spot. The Twins haven't given up on Nishioka, but he's not guaranteed a place on the team. Gardenhire said he hopes Nishioka, who struggled with offense, defense and health in his first major league season, comes to spring training "with a better idea of what we do and how we do things."

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A number of reports mention a Dallas Morning News article by Gerry Fraley that discusses things four things Yu Darvish will need to overcome in order to find success in the Majors.  Things like playing outdoors in the heat (42 games at 35+ degrees Celsius), pitching on four days of rest, and long travel distances.

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Via Sponichi, ESPN's fan poll on whether or not Ichiro Suzuki is a Hall of Famer: 83% yes, 17% no.

Hisashi Iwakuma left for the Seatte out of Narita Airport on Saturday with his wife and kids and is currently scheduled to attend Seattle Mariners' FanFest.  Before leaving, he told reporters he has his sights set on pitching on opening day (3/28 at Tokyo Dome) and that he has been using an MLB regulation ball during practices (he is getting more break on his pitches).

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Hiroki Kuroda worked out in Los Angeles on Friday.  His workouts began at 8am.  While playing catch, he mixed in his curve, fork, and change.  Kuroda could also toss a bullpen session sometime next week.

FYI: Kuroda gets to take his translator, Kenji Nimura, along with him to the Yankees.  He has also decided to temporarily hold off on updating his blog as he focuses on preparing for the upcoming season.

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Ichiro Suzuki worked out for about two hours outdoors in Kobe on Saturday.

According to Nikkan Sports, Hiroki Kuroda turned down a two-year deal worth an estimated US$22M from the New York Yankees and instead opted for a one-year deal worth an estimated US$16M.

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Via Nikkan Sports, the Milwaukee Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt provides the following update on Norichika Aoki:

The Milwaukee Brewers have exchanged contract proposals with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki, but general manager Doug Melvin said Saturday it was too early to tell if a deal could be worked out before the Tuesday deadline.

"We've made an offer to him and he gave us a proposal back," said Melvin, who has been negotiating with Nez Balelo, the agent for Aoki.

"That's where it's at. We're evaluating it. We're going to look at this vs. the other options out there with outfielders. We're still negotiating and exploring other options."

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Eric Wedge told reporters on Sunday that there was a chance Hisashi Iwakuma might pitch during one of their two opening day games against the Oakland Athletics at Tokyo Dome in March (3/28 and 3/29).  When asked about Munenori Kawasaki, he said he wanted a chance to see him during Spring Training before making any decisions.

Wedge, Ken Griffey Jr and Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin attended a press conference for Opening Series Japan 2012 at Tokyo Dome today.

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Sponichi notes that Don Nomura may have left for the US on Sunday and could be headed to Texas on Monday with Arn Tellem.  A separate Sponichi report also notes that the Texas Rangers will not be able to match everything Yu Darvish is asking for and that ultimately, it will come down to how much he wants to play in the US.

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Deadlines:

Norichika Aoki - 1/17 at 5pm EST (1/18 at 7am JST)

Yu Darvish - 1/18 at 5pm EST (1/19 at 7am JST)

The Seattle Mariners announced on Wednesday that they signed Munenori Kawasaki to a minor league with an invite to Spring Training.

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Hisashi Iwakuma worked out at a Rakuten Eagles Ni-gun facility in Sendai today and tossed about 50 pitches to a standing catcher in the bullpen.  Trainer Daisuke Sekiba caught the session.  Sekiba is also apparently scheduled to work with Iwakuma in the States this year.

Iwakuma is currently scheduled to attend Mariners FanFest on 1/28, 1/29.  He has also prepared three different kinds of cleats to try in the US.

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Hideki Matsui practice for the fifth straight day on Wednesday.  He also swung the bat for the first time this year.

Matsui's workouts last about an hour and a half and included about 40 minutes of running, playing catch, and taking 10 about pitches while batting right-handed and 69 pitches while batting left-handed during soft toss BP.  Sponichi mentions 28 pitches from the right and 69 swings from the left.  Sports Hochi 12 pitches from the right and 69 from the left.

Matsui did not start swinging the bat until 2/5 last year and 2/21 the year before that.

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Junichi Tazawa has been working out in Kawasaki since 1/4.

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Nolan Ryan apparently sent Yu Darvish a pair of boots.

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Via Nikkan Sports, MLB.com posted the start of the various MLB Spring Training workout dates.

Hideki Matsui played catch on Tuesday for the first time in about three months and felt no pain.  His trainer also told reporters that Matsui is running light on his feet and that he should be fine on defense.

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Via Nikkan Sports: ESPN's Ramona Shelburne provides the following update on Hiroki Kuroda:

Colletti offered a clue to how the team is approaching this season by noting that he had been talking to free-agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda's agents up until a few days ago about "other ways to figure this out" because "we used the money we would've had for him and had to spread it out some."

Colletti wouldn't specify what options were discussed. But the only options that would've worked under those parameters essentially would be a back-loaded, two-year deal, or something that wouldn't have impacted the team's Opening Day payroll so deeply.

"We've stayed in it, but I think at this point in time we've probably exhausted the different choices," Colletti said. "I think he's going to end with an American League club, from what I can gather.

"He pitched well here. He was competitive, good to have on the club, competitive. As you look back on the four years, some of the bigger games we had here he ended up pitching pretty well. We'll miss him. He adjusted well to America and from all indications from him and his family, it was a good experience for him too."

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Hisashi Iwakuma worked out in Sendai on Tuesday.  Iwakuma plans to head to the US some time this month (once he squares away his work visa).

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The Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly has the following update on Wei-Ying Chen:

Here's Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette on various subjects:

On newly signed left-handed starter Wei-Yin Chen, who agreed to a three-year deal (with a 2015 club option) that will be worth roughly $11 million to $12 million: "He's got good stuff. He's got a good fastball and very good control and a good breaking ball. He's really a pretty polished pitcher. Chen has the physical capabilities to be a front-line starter. ...  I was glad to sign him, because I think he can help our team. I like his pitches. I like the structure of the contract. I hope it ends up being a good one. Could be a good one. He's only 26. He has the stuff, the pitches to be a good major league pitcher. There's only a few left-handers in the big leagues with his stuff."

On concerns that Chen's fastball velocity dropped into the 80s this year: "His velocity fluctuated some this year during the season, but I believe that was attributed to an oblique strain. At the end of the year, in the playoffs, his velocity was at 92, 94 [mph]. His velocity was down during a portion of the season, but it was back up at the end of the season."

The Associated Press also has a break of the deal:

Chen gets a $250,000 signing bonus and salaries of $3,072,000 this year, $3,572,000 in 2013 and $4,072,000 in 2014. The Orioles have a $4.75 million option for 2015 with a $372,000 buyout.

Nikkan Sports mentions that a press conference is scheduled to take place in Nagoya on 1/17.

About 60 reporters covered Hisashi Iwakuma's press conference on Friday.  He opened by saying, "My name is Hisashi Iwakuma" in English.  While it is not uncommon for players to do parts of their press conferences in other languages like English and Italian (soccer), players usually do not go out of their way to do that when holding press conference in Japan.

His English speech:

My name is Hisashi Iwakuma. Please call me Kuma. I am very excited to become a member of Mariners. I want to contribute for the team's success with my family and Mariners fans. Thank you.

Regarding his incentives:

The number of starts he makes, between 20 and 30.
The number of innings he pitches, between 140 and 200.
And various other things like winning the Cy Young Award and making the All-Star Game.

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Nikkan Sports has posted the following comments from Iwakuma:

Why did you decide to select the Seattle Mariners?

I visited for five days beginning on 12/15 last year.  I had a chance to see Seattle and the stadium facilities.  My daughter liked the area and it felt nice to be somewhere that felt similar to Sendai. The team also made me feel wanted.  The terms did not matter.

When did you get an official offer from the Mariners?

Around January 2.  That was, coincidentally, the same day I met my wife.  It felt like fate.  I did not hesitate in selecting them.

Did you contact Ichiro?

I have not spoken to him yet.  There are things I want to ask Ichiro regarding the team.  I feel stronger knowing Ichiro and [Munenori] Kawasaki are backing me up.

Your uniform number?

The number 18 was open so I asked for it.  I was 21 in Japan, now I want to redefine myself as an ace in the US wearing the number 18.

If [Yu] Darvish ends up signing with the Texas Rangers, then you will be playing in the same division.

I am really looking forward to that.  I think I will feel even more motivated knowing I might pitch against him.

What kind of pitcher will you aim to be?

Control and movement.  I want to move my pitches around and make them hit the ball.

Sponichi has posted slightly different comments from Iwakuma:

How do you feel right now?

I am really happy.  I signed a deal with the Mariners and now I can start fresh.

Why did you select the Mariners?

I went to Seattle with my daughter and she liked it there.  Their first real offer came January 2, the date when I first met my wife.  It felt like fate and I felt like giving it a go with them.  On the money side of things, I had other offers that were better.

Ichiro will be on the same team.

There are a lot of things I do not know about the team, so there are things I would like to ask him.  And knowing Kawasaki will also be there makes me feel strong.

Your uniform number is 18.

This is a big step for me so I wanted that number.  I will do my best because I want to be considered an ace.

Any specific goals?

The first is playing through an entire season without getting hurt.  I am preparing myself to pitch on four to five days of rest, so I would like to reach 30 starts.  I want to do my kind of pitching and get batters to hit a lot of grounders.

The [Mariners] will begin the season in Japan.

That makes me happy and I will do my best to be one of the pitchers that pitches.

Any words you would like to send out to the fans in the Tohoku region?

This will be the first year in the rebuilding/revitalization of northern Japan.  I will do my best to make sure they receive happy news, that can provide them with hope, from the US.

Sponichi has posted another set of comments as well:

What kind of baseball do you want to play?

I am a control pitcher and I want to get batters to hit grounders by moving my pitches around.

Did you have a chance to speak to Ichiro?

Not yet, but I have a chance to play with Ichiro and Kawasaki.  Knowing they are backing me up give me strength.

There is a chance Darvish will be pitching in the same division.

I look forward to pitching against him.  That makes me excited.

Which batter would you like to face?

I think every batter is amazing, but Albert Pujols will be playing in the same division.  I want to enjoy the feeling as I pitch against him.

Did [Masahiro] Tanaka's development help push you to heading to the Majors?

Tanaka and I both grew together.  Having him around did, in some way, help with my decision.  I would like to see Rakuten win and I hope he is what drives them.

What are you thoughts on Hiroyuki Nakajima?

I do not think this experience will be bad for him.  He needs to stay strong and I would like to see him continue to chase his dream.

According to Nikkan Sports, Hisashi Iwakuma has agreed to a deal with the Seattle Mariners.  The report also mentions that Iwakuma held a press conference over the telephone (he is currently working out in Tokyo) at around 9am JST.  Sponichi adds that he got a one-year deal worth around US$1.5M (around 120M yen).  If he maxes out the incentives, the deal could be worth more than the 300M yen he made in 2011.

UPDATE @ 10:45am - A new Nikkan Sports report confirms that the deal was for one year and worth US$1.5M.  He also gets the number 18.  Iwakuma is also quoted as saying that it was never about the money (the Mariners' offer was apparently the worst out of the other offers he received).

UPDATE @ 10:55am - ESPN's Jerry Crasnick tweets that the deal could be worth a total US$4.9M (based on starts and IP).

Sponichi is reporting that Hisashi Iwakuma told reporters on Tuesday that he is closest to signing with the Seattle Mariners.

"Now that we are in the New Year, things are beginning to move on the negotiation front," said Iwakuma.  "I have received offers from a number of teams and when I consider things like how much a I feel needed and my family, I am probably closest to signing a deal with Seattle."

Iwakuma spent about five hours working out in Tokyo on Tuesday.