Batting Practice

February 2 Wladimir Balentien - thirty-six swings, five over the fence Source: Sponichi 2/2/2014

Bullpen Sessions / Batting Practice

February 2 Masanori Ishikawa - fifty-one pitches Source: Nikkan Sports 2/2/2014 February 1 Shohei Tateyama - fifty pitches, thirty pitches with a break in between Source: Sanspo 2/2/2014

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Shingo Kawabata ran eight twenty-meter dashes while wearing a parachute on his back during workouts on Sunday.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/2/2014

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The Swallows held an evening workout session on Sunday.  Eleven position players in their twenties practiced swinging their bats near the hotel pool.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/2/2014

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Masanori Ishikawa's bullpen session on Sunday was his second in as many days.

Source: Sanspo 2/2/2014

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Shohei Tateyama is planning to toss batting practice during the third block of sring camp.

Source: Sanspo 2/2/2014

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1st round draft pick Toshihiro Sugiura is scheduled to pitch in a practice game against KIA (KBO) on the 16th.

Source: Sanspo 2/2/2014

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Yasuhiro Ogawa tossed one splitter during his bullpen session on Saturday.  He got tips on how to throw the pitch when he worked out with Koji Uehara in January.  He also threw the cutter he learned from Yu Darvish. ... Ogawa was interested in supplements and started taking four to five, beginning on Saturday.

Source: Sanspo 2/2/2014, Sanspo 2/2/2014

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Kazuhiro Hatakeyama is approaching first base under the assumption that Wladimir Balentien will not be there this season.

Source: Sponichi 2/2/2014

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According to Sponichi, there may be three candidates for the opening day start: Ogawa, Ishikawa, and Tateyama.

Source: Sponichi 2/2/2014

Masanori Ishikawa finished off the fourth year of a four-year deal this past season.  According to Nikkan Sports, he came to terms on a three-year extension with the Yakult Swallows today.  His salary will be 180 million yen plus incentives.  The Swallows reserve the right to make an adjustment in the third year.

"It was a disappointing year for me, but they offered me another multi-year deal.  I will not let the contract make me lazy, I will do my best to regain everyone's confidence once again," Ishikawa said.  "I want to win with the Swallows.  I would like to play for the Swallows as long as I can."

Source: Nikkan Sports 12/2/2013

Orix Buffaloes

The media learned on Wednesday that the Buffaloes are looking into Esteban German (35).

Source: Daily Sports 11/28/2013

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The Buffaloes plan to extend negotiations with Aarom Baldiris into December.  Team official Ryuzo Setoyama is also scheduled to meet scouts in the US in early December.

Source: Daily Sports 11/28/2013

Baldiris made an estimated fifty million yen this season.  Orix may have offered him a two-year deal worth an estimated 200 million yen.  The front office is currently waiting to hear back from his agent.

Source: Sports Hochi 11/28/2013

According to Sponichi and Nikkan Sports, Baldiris' agent may have asked for close to double the amount Orix offered: two years at around 400 million yen.

Source: Sponichi 11/28/2013, Nikkan Sports 11/28/2013

Yakult Swallows

Masanori Ishikawa was in the final year of a four-year deal.  He will most likely sign a three-year contract extension with a variable salary.  His salary for 2014 could be an estimated 160 million yen, down forty million yen from this season.

Source: Sanspo 11/28/2013

Yokohama Bay Stars

GM Shigeru Takada feels Yasutomo Kubo might not make a decision on where he wants to play until some time in December.

Source: Sanspo 11/28/2013

Yomiuri Giants

Yasuyuki Kataoka may seem like a redundant acquisition after the Hirokazu Ibata signing, but the Giants do have a reason for trying to secure both players.  In Kataoka, they see a player that can provide some stability at second base.  With Ibata, they see someone that might be able to help provide some depth at short behind Hayato Sakamoto while also providing other younger infielders with advice and support.

Source: Tokyo Sports 11/28/2013

Sanspo notes that Ibata will fill three roles: right-handed bat off the bench, utility infielder, and back-up for Sakamoto at short.

Source: Sanspo 11/28/2013

Kataoka's parents want to see their son playing for the Yomiuri Giants.

Source: Nikkan Sports 11/28/2013

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The Giants will most likely offer Jose Lopez and Scott Mathieson contracts for the 2014 season.  They are undecided on John Bowker and Dennis Houlton.  They are keeping an eye on Jason Standridge.

Source: Sanspo 11/28/2013

Yakult Swallows

Masanori Ishikawa has an international FA option.  He is in the final year of a four-year deal.  He does not plan on exercising the option and would like to remain with the Swallows.  Yakult has reportedly offered the thirty-three-year-old another multi-year deal.

Source: Sports Hochi 10/22/2013, Sanspo 10/22/2013

Hiroshima Carp

Kam Mickolio left for the US on Tuesday.  Before leaving, he told reporters his top priority was to return to Hiroshima next season.

Source: Daily Sports 10/22/2013

Hanshin Tigers

Jason Standridge left for the US out of Kansai International Airport on Tuesday.  With regards to 2014, he said, "I am not in a position to choose, but I really love it here."

Source: Daily Sports 10/22/2013

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Matt Murton also left for the US out of Kansai Airport on Tuesday.  He spoke to reporters before his departure and said he needed a little more time to think about what he was going to do for next season.

"I do not know what will happen next year.  I will play where ever God takes me. ... I had a good season.  At this age, I am not sure how many more good years I have left in me.  I will play where ever I am taken. ... Being able to play in the US, where I grew up, would be anyone's dream.  I feel I can do a lot better now, than before I came to Japan. ... I do have an interest in playing in the US, but Japan has also been a second home to me," Murton said.

Source: Daily Sports 10/22/2013, Daily Sports 10/22/2013

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The front office started talking to players with FA options on Monday.

Source: Nikkan Sports 10/22/2013

Yakult Swallows

Ryoji Aikawa would like to stay with the Swallows, but only if they plan on using him.  Otherwise, he will seriously consider exercising his FA option.

Masanori Ishikawa and Takehiko Oshimoto can also become free agents at the end of the season and are expected to sit down with the Swallows before making any decisions.

Source: Sponichi 10/8/2013, Daily Sports 10/9/2013

According to Sanspo, Oshimoto is not planning to exercise his option and wants to remain with the team.

Source: Sanspo 10/9/2013

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Shingo Takatsu could be named the next pitching coach.

Source: Nikkan Sports 10/9/2013

Yokohama Bay Stars

The Bay Stars could offer Koji Yamamoto the Ichi-gun head coach job next season.  Takanori Suzuki will likely be brought in as batting coach.  Ni-gun pitching coach Katsunori Okamoto is expected to join Takeo Kawamura as Ichi-gun pitching coaches.  Hiromi Makihara could also be offered a position.

Source: Sports Hochi 10/9/2013

Softbank Hawks

Brian Falkenborg left for the US today.  Before leaving, he told reporters he hoped to return to Fukuoka next season, but was also open to playing for another team, if it came to that.

Source: Nikkan Sports 10/9/2013

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The Hawks are hoping to retain Katsuki Yamazaki's services.  They have reportedly offered him a multi-year deal and may be open to leaving their offer on the table while he exercises his FA option to check on interest with other teams.

Source: Nikkan Sports 10/9/2013

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Takanori Yamauchi is a candidate to become the next pitching coach for the Hawks.

Source: Nikkan Sports 10/9/2013

Yakult Swallows

Masanori Ishikawa (right hamstring) worked out at Jingu Gaien today.  He told reporters he felt fine and was ready to go.

Source: Nikkan Sports 9/9/2013

Hanshin Tigers

Jason Standridge (lower back tightness) resumed bullpen work on Sunday.  He will toss another session on the 10th and if things go well, he could return to the active roster for a start shortly after that, perhaps as early as the 12th (vs Chunichi at Koshien).

Source: Sanspo 9/9/2013

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Yamato played catch on Sunday for the first time since he suffered a fracture in his right pinky.  He threw the ball lightly at a distance of about twenty meters.  He is trying not to push himself too hard because he still feels some pain.

Source: Sanspo 9/9/2013

Yokohama Bay Stars

Nyjer Morgan was diagnosed with gastroenteritis on Sunday.  He is considered day-to-day.

Source: Sanspo 9/9/2013

Nippon Ham Fighters

Shogo Akada did not play on Sunday because he had a fever.

Source: Sanspo 9/9/2013

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Sho Nakata did some running and light exercises at the Ni-gun facilities in Kamagaya on Sunday.  He is scheduled to get his left pinky re-examined at a hospital in Sapporo on the 11th.  If the fracture has started to heal, he could slowly begin to ramp up his workouts.

Source: Nikkan Sports 9/9/2013

Seibu Lions

Yusei Kikuchi (left shoulder) tossed fifty-seven pitches in the bullpen on Sunday.  If he continues to make good progress and is able to stretch himself out to about 100 pitches, he could pitch in a Ni-gun rehab game on the 14th against Nippon Ham.

Source: Sponichi 9/9/2013

Yakult Swallows

Masanori Ishikawa was taken off the active roster on Friday with tightness in his right hamstring.  Ishikawa first felt discomfort in his leg during Thursday's game against Chunichi.

Source: Sports Hochi 8/30/2013

Hiroshima Carp

Bryan Bullington took a batted ball off the area near his left knee in the 2nd inning of today's game against the Hanshin Tigers.  He received treatment but was unable to return to the game.

Source: Nikkan Sports 8/31/2013

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Miguel Socolovich felt pain in his right shoulder during pre-game workouts and was taken off the active roster today.

"It is close to the same place he hurt before and it seems to be bothering him more.  [We took him off the active roster because] it will take more than just a day or two for it to get better," said Kenjiro Nomura.

Socolovich was taken off the active roster in May with right shoulder pain.

Source: Nikkan Sports 8/31/2013

Hanshin Tigers

Kosuke Fukudome (left calf) is still not ready to play a full game and will be used accordingly.

Source: Sanspo 8/31/2013

Nippon Ham Fighters

Sho Nakata's (left pinky finger) workouts on Friday including soft-toss batting practice with just his right hand.

Source: Sponichi 8/31/2013

Nakata has placed a personal ban on all alcohol until his fracture has completely healed.

Source: Nikkan Sports 8/31/2013

Chunichi Dragons

Yohei Oshima ended practices early today after he started feeling pain in his left elbow -- it apparently locked up on him.  Oshima experienced problems with his left elbow back in February and this could be an extension of that injury.

Source: Nikkan Sports 6/25/2013

Yakult Swallows

The media learned on Monday that Ryo Hirai will have his right shoulder cleaned out.  A date has not yet been set.  There is a good chance he will miss the rest of the season since it could take six months for a full recovery.

Source: Sponichi 6/25/2013, Sanspo 6/25/2013

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Masanori Ishikawa (tight lower left back) joined the Ichi-gun starting pitchers for workouts on Monday.  He started a Ni-gun game against Yomiuri on the 23rd and gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk over 3.1 innings of work.  There is a chance he will return to the active roster in time for a start against Yomiuri on the 30th.

Source: Sanspo 6/25/2013, Sponichi 6/25/2013

Hanshin Tigers

The Tigers announced that Hiroki Uemoto had surgery to clean out his left ankle on Monday.  The team will set a timetable for his recovery once he is able to begin his rehab.

Source: Daily Sports 6/25/2013

Yokohama Bay Stars

Tony Blanco may end up missing a couple of games after taking an HPB of his left elbow -- a person close to the situation told reporters that there was quite a bit of swelling.

Source: Daily Sports 6/25/2013

Nippon Ham Fighters

Dustin Molleken was examined at a hospital in Tokyo today and diagnosed with a bruise on the tenth intercostal muscle on his right side.  He will require about two weeks for a full recovery.  He is scheduled to begin his rehab at Kamagaya within the next couple of days.

Molleken complained of discomfort in his back and lower back during pre-game practices on Monday.  He was taken off the active roster today.

Source: Daily Sports 6/25/2013, Nikkan Sports 6/25/2013

Masanori Ishikawa (Yakult) was examined at a hospital and taken off the active roster on Friday with tightness in his left lower back.  The Swallows expect Ichikawa to return in the minimum amount of time.

Source: Sponichi 6/8/2013

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According to Sports Hochi, Kenta Maeda (Hiroshima) could toss a bullpen session on Sunday.  The timetable for his return (tightness in his right side) will be set based on how the session goes.  For now, Maeda is aiming for a return on June 15 (vs Nippon Ham at Sapporo Dome).

Nikkan Sports figures Maeda might not toss a bullpen session until the 11th.

Source: Sports Hochi 6/8/2013, Nikkan Sports 6/8/2013

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Kazuki Yoshimi (Chunichi) started his rehab at Nagoya Stadium today.  He is not allowed to do a lot of sweating right now and had to keep his workouts light.  The Dragons are hoping he will be able to start throwing before the end of the year.  That could put him on track for a return some time during the first half of the 2014 season.

Yoshimi had surgery on his right elbow (Tommy John surgery and an elbow cleaning) on the 4th and was discharged from the hospital on the 7th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 6/8/2013

6th round draft pick Ryota Yachi is the only first-year position player in the CL to make the opening day roster.

Source: Sports Hochi 3/27/2013

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Orlando Roman started a Ni-gun game against Lotte on Tuesday and gave up a run on four hits over three innings of work.  He could make his first start of the regular season on the 31st against Hanshin at Jingu.

Source: Sanspo 3/27/2013

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Junji Ogawa will apparently wait until the very last minute to decide on the starter for the game against Hanshin on the 31st.  It will either be Roman or Ryosuke Yagi.

Roman rejoined Ichi-gun practices today.

Source: Daily Sports 3/27/2013

Ogawa hinted to reporters today that Shohei Tateyama will be the opening day starter.

Source: Sports Hochi 3/27/2013

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Masanori Ishikawa will be using a pair of cleats that weigh about 250 grams, fifteen less than the model he used last season.  Many pitchers tend to use cleats that are between 350 and 400 grams.

Ishikawa's intro music this year will be Namie Amuro's In the Spotlight (Tokyo).

Source: Sanspo 3/27/2013

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Yasushi Iihara (right gluteal strain) joined the Ichi-gun team on Tuesday.

Takehiko Oshimoto and Nariaki Kawasaki will report to Ni-gun.

Source: Sanspo 3/27/2013

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Hanshin Tiger 1st round draft Shintaro Fujinami is likely responsible for the increase in ticket sales on the third base side for the Hanshin game on the 31st.

Source: Daily Sports 3/27/2013

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Former Swallow Yuya Kamada announced that he was going to retire on Tuesday.

Source: Sanspo 3/27/2013