Takahiro Arai joined the Ichi-gun team for workouts today.  He is scheduled to play in Wednesday's exhibition game against Hiroshima.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/19/2013

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Daiki Enokida will likely make his first regular season start on April 4 against Chunichi at Kyocera Dome as the number six starter in the rotation.

The starting rotation will most likely be: Randy Messenger, Minoru Iwata, 1st round draft pick Shintaro Fujinami, Atsushi Nomi, Jason Standridge, and Enokida.

Source: Sanspo 3/19/2013, Daily Sports 3/19/2013

Nikkan Sports thinks Enokida could make his first regular season start on April 2 against Chunichi.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/19/2013

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The Tigers will probably carry seven relievers.  Yasutomo Kubo, Shinobu Fukuhara, Naoto Tsuru, Kosuke Kato will likely take the first four sports.  Yusuke Kawasaki, Masanori Fujihara, Kazuhito Futagami, and Yuya Ando are among the pitchers competing for the remaining three spots.

Source: Daily Sports 3/19/2013

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Hirokazu Shiranita is scheduled to start an exhibition game against Hiroshima on Wednesday.  He is trying to win a spot on the active roster as either a starer or reliever.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/19/2013

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Fujinami participated in workouts and checked the mound at Jingu Stadium on Monday.  He also sat next to Akihiro Fujii in the dugout during the team's exhibition game against Yakult.  He returned to Osaka after the game.

Source: Sanspo 3/19/2013, Nikkan Sports 3/19/2013, Daily Sports 3/19/2013

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While Tsuyoshi Nishioka is considered the everyday lead-off hitter, Takashi Toritani is also an option the team may consider if the offense falls into a slump.

Source: Sanspo 3/19/2013

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Kosuke Fukudome is not scheduled to play in Wednesday's exhibition game against Hiroshima and will instead work out at the Naruohama training facilities.

Source: Sanspo 3/19/2013

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Brooks Conrad was given permission to skip Wednesday's exhibition game and return to his family in Kobe.

Source: Sanspo 3/19/2013

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Tickets are not selling as well as the Tigers had hoped despite the additions of players like Fukudome, Nishioka, and Fujinami.

Source: Sponichi 3/19/2013

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Minoru Iwata is scheduled to pitch in a practice game against Lotte on Thursday.

Source: Sanspo 2/20/2013

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Takahiro Arai's workouts on Tuesday lasted about four hours and included playing catch at a distance of about forty meters, swinging the bat, and shoulder/trunk strengthening exercises.  He is currently taking things day-by-day.

Source: Sponichi 2/20/2013

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1st round draft pick Shintaro Fujinami tossed batting practice on Tuesday at about seventy to eighty percent.

Source: Sponichi 2/20/2013

Special spring camp instructor Tatsuro Hirooka is worried about Fujinami's mechanics and feels the rookie could do some serious harm to himself if the problems are not addressed.

Source: Sponichi 2/20/2013

Three of the thirty-two pitches Fujinami threw during batting practice on Tuesday were cutters.  The rest were fastballs.

Fujinami is next scheduled to toss something similar to situational batting practice on the 24th.  If he continues to make good progress, he could pitch in a practice game against Seibu on March 3.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/20/2013

Of the seventeen pitches Fujinami threw to Issei Morita during batting practice on Tuesday, eight were balls.  And of the fifteen pitches he threw to 4th round draft pick Shinya Azuhata, four were balls.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/20/2013

Fujinami could pitch in the following games: exhibition game against Lotte on March 7, exhibition game against Yokohama on March 15, exhibition game against Orix on March 22, Western League game against Hiroshima on March 28, regular season game against Chunichi on April 3.

Source: Sanspo 2/20/2012

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The Giants, Dragons, Swallows, and Carp had scouts in the stands on Tuesday.

Source: Daily Sports 2/20/2013

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Shinobu Fukuhara tossed a bullpen session to 4th round draft pick Shinya Azuhata today.  After the session, Fukuhara spent about three minutes giving Azuhata suggestions on his catching.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013

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INF/base-running coach Teruyoshi Kuji reminded Takashi Toritani to be aware of the runner on first when covering second during the WBC, especially since runners tend to slide more aggressively outside of the NPB.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013, Daily Sports 2/5/2013

While playing second during fielding practice on Monday: Toritani fielded forty-eight grounders and threw to second; and covered second twenty-eight times on grounders to short.

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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Ryota Arai prepared three gloves from spring camp: first base, third base, outfield.

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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Kosuke Fukudome is using a narrower stance with his hands up a little higher.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013

Former Chunichi batting coach Kyosuke Sasaki visited Hanshin camp on Monday and worked with Fukudome on his hitting.  Sasaki thinks Fukudome could be a good number three hitter because he can get on base via hits and walks.

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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Tsuyoshi Nishioka is hoping to play in at least one game with Toritani before heads to WBC mini-camp (either the 10th or 11th).

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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1st round draft pick Shintaro Fujinami tossed his bullpen session on Monday alongside Daiki Enokida, Naoto Tsuru, Tatsuya Kojima, Minoru Iwata, and Kazuhito Futagami.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013

Fujinami was in the middle of running today when he stopped short with pain and tightness in his right leg.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/5/2013

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Matt DeSalvo tossed his tryout bullpen in front of people like Yutaka Wada, team president Nobuo Minami, GM Katsuhiro Nakamura, head coach Masahiro Kuroda, and pitching coach Kiyooki Nakanishi on Monday.  He threw his fastball, curve, slider, fork, and change.

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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Chunichi and Hiroshima were at Tigers' camp on the 1st, checking on various talent, including Fujinami.  Yomiuri and Yakult were at camp on Monday.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013

The Hanshin Tigers officially signed Tsuyoshi Nishioka to a contract today.  They also held a press conference at a hotel in Osaka to unveil their newest addition.

Please tell us what you are feeling right now.

For me, I spoke to a number of teams and I honestly had a hard time deciding.  I felt the desire to win from each of the teams.  After thinking about where I felt I could really focus on playing, it became clear that I had a strong attraction for the Hanshin Tigers.  I started playing baseball when I was young.  In high school, my goal was to play at Koshien.  Now, after turning pro, I have a chance to make it my home stadium.  I think I am very lucky.

I think GM [Katsuhiro] Nakamura told you about the attraction of Koshien.  Did that play a role in your decision?

Play a role?  I just felt happy when he told me the team could really use my help.  Honestly, these last two years in the US ended with disappointing results.  In terms of pushing me to another level, it made me realize how weak I was and got me into the mindset of starting over from the beginning.  I would like to apply that pressure on myself next year and do the best that I can.

You said you had a hard time deciding.  Do you feel relieved now?

The Hanshin Tigers have a lot of tradition.  So long as I have made the decision, I plan to go crazy for them.

Were you offered a number?

They gave me the number seven.  I want to do my best to put up results so that I do not tarnish the names off all the players that wore this number before me.

The first number you wore when you turned pro was seven.  What does the number mean to you?

For me, next season represented a crossroads in my career as a baseball player.  I think in terms of whether I do well or not, next season will be pivotal for me.  Having a chance to wear the same number I wore when I first turned pro, I think that will allow me to return to my roots.

You will be returning to the NPB in the first time in three years.  Do you feel yourself getting excited about it?

There is still time before the start of the season.  I have plenty of things I need to do now.  I would like to put a uniform on as soon as possible and get back to playing baseball.

You mentioned your two-year struggle in the Majors.  How do you plan to use that experience to your advantage?

The Tigers have tradition.  I think [Tomoaki] Kanemoto did a good job building the team.  This will be my first year so I would like to play as if I were a rookie.  I want to carry on [the tradition] and it would be nice if I can become a member of this team.

What do you think about playing in your home town of Osaka and wearing uniforms with pinstripes while playing against the Giants?

The Giants are not our only opponent.  I do think they are the strongest and are always in the middle of things.  It will be important to beat teams like that, otherwise winning a championship with the Hanshin Tigers will become difficult.  I think in order to win a championship, it is not to focus [on the one team] and maintain a constant level of excitement for all games, regardless of opponent.

As a member of Lotte, you once mentioned that the sighs the fans made a Koshien Stadium made you happy, but now those very same sighs will be from the fans that are on your side.

It makes me feel strong.  When I played games at Koshien as a member of Lotte, there were times when I wished I could join this team, even just once, and play a home game at this stadium.  I hummed the theme song during the jet balloon launches.  In that sense, I would like to play [at Koshien] as soon as possible.

[Shintaro] Fujinami, an Osaka Toin graduate like yourself, will be joining the team.  What are your thoughts?

I have only met him in passing, but I think he has a strong center as a player.  I think he is a great pitcher and I think he will come across things that surprise him once he begins to play.  I too will be a first-year Hanshin Tiger, so we are the same in that regard.  If there is a chance to talk, then...  I would like to play with him.  There is also [Takashi] Toritani and the veteran [Shinjiro] Hiyama.  I would like to listen to what those players have to say as I become a part of the team.

What are you goals for 2013?  And please, a word for the fans.

I am am always looking to win.  Every team begins spring camp with the goal of winning a championship. I think being able to maintain that feeling over the course of a season can help a team compete for a championship.  I would like to do what is necessary in order to play every day.

I know well what kind of fans Hanshin has and I would like to do well in order to receive their good cheers.  I want to do my best so that I can get a hero interview as soon as possible.

Source: official announcement

Daiy Sports has posted a more from the press conference.  I don't have the time to translate it right now, but here is a link to article.

The Hanshin Tigers officially announced the addition of Tsuyoshi Nishioka (28) today.  Nishioka contacted the Tigers on Sunday night and informed the team of his decision.  A press conference could be held as early as Tuesday.

Source: Nikkan Sports 11/19/2012

Sponichi and Daily Sports have posted reports that Tsuyoshi Nishioka is close to officially joining the Hanshin Tigers.  A number of industry sources told reporters they felt Nishioka will contact the organization within the next couple of days to tell them that he will accept their offer.  A press conference will likely follow thereafter.

Source: Sponichi 11/17/2012, Daily Sports 11/17/2012

According to Sanspo, Tsuyoshi Nishioka is making preparations to accept the Hanshin Tigers' offer.  People close to the situation have informed reporters that Nishioka has already turned down Lotte and has begun a search for a place to live in Kansai.  A press conference could be scheduled as early as November 20, the day after Tigers' fall camp ends.

Source: Sanspo 11/16/2012

The Yomiuri Giants' GM Atsushi Harasawa denied interest in Tsuyoshi Nishioka but did tell reporters the team was looking to improve their second base situation.  Harasawa also added that they were in talks with Michihiro Ogaswara and that they planned to leave a spot open for him.

Source: Sanspo 11/14/2012, Nikkan Sports 11/14/2012

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Tetsuya Utsumi contacted the Yomiuri Giants on Tuesday to let them know he was not going to exercise his domestic FA option.  Source: Sanspo 11/14/2012

The Giants could be preparing a major four-year deal worth 2B yen.  Source: Nikkan Sports 11/14/2012

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Hanshin Tigers' team president Nobuo Minami is willing to wait on Kosuke Fukudome until after the New Year passes.  Source: Sanspo 11/14/2012

The Tigers also willing to sweeten the deal by adding a section about a future as a Hanshin coach.  Source: Nikkan Sports 11/14/2012

The Hanshin Tigers meeting with Tsuyoshi Nishioka started after 2:00pm today and lasted about hour.  When Nishioka spoke to reporters he said that the Tigers were the very first team to contact him when he became a free agent.  Source: Daily Sports 11/9/2012

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The Tigers offered Nishioka the number seven.  He plans to make a decision this month and said that he spoke to more than three teams (Lotte, Orix, Hanshin).  Source: Nikkan Sports 11/9/2012

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Daily Sports has posted the Q&A from Nishioka's press conference.  It is long so I took the liberty to select ones I felt might be of interest:

Hanshin was probably the first team to contact you, did you sense how strongly they felt about you?

When I became a free agent over there, there were indeed the first team to contact me.  They do seem very interested and I appreciate that.

Regarding negotiations, did they put anything concrete on the table?

I asked them to lay out all their terms and I said nothing in return.  Just as with the other teams, I decided to accept whatever was proposed.  But I feel [the Tigers] offered me a very good deal.

So were you feel satisfied?

It is not so much about satisfaction.  At no time did I feel there were conditions I needed to have.  I paid a lot of attention toward how teams plan on using me and whether or not they really have a need for me.

Did they say anything that left an impression?

They said they would wait for me at the wonderful Koshien, along with the fans.  They said they wanted me to help them take down the Giants.  We spoke for a while and a lot of words were exchanged.  In the end, I felt they needed me.

What about the uniform number?

When I played in Japan, I wore the number seven.  When I went over to the US, I wore the number one.  I do not have any strong desire for a single-digit number.  But GM [Katsuhiro] Nakamura offered to give me the number seven, but another player is wearing that number right now.  I want to think things through and do as the team wishes.

What about your position?

We only talked about terms so I am not sure, but I told them that I have only played second and short.  And just as with the other teams, I told them I did not a guaranteed starting position.

Your impression of the Tigers?

When I came [into the this room], I noticed the difference in the number of media and how much coverage they get.  I went to Koshien to watch games when I was younger and I think they are a team that gets a lot of attention.

When will you decide by?

Every team has moved into the off-season and is preparing for the next season.  I do not think this is something that will be decided today or tomorrow.  I would like to, at the very least, decide some time this month and inform the teams.

Any additional negotiations?

I have already decided I would sit down with each team once.  I do not plan on asking for anything.  I accept their proposals then they tell me how much they need me and in what capacity.  I want to decide based on that information.

Now that you have spoken to three teams, has anything changed?

Changes in my feelings...  Just as I said after my Lotte press conference, I am keeping my feelings flat.  There is a part of me that feels uncertain with the media pushing ahead and writing things.  There may be times when I am surprised by what is written.

Do you feel as if you have been able to narrow things down a bit?

It has not been mentioned, but I have spoken to a number of other teams.  I sat down not just with these three teams but also with others and listened to their offers.  Today marks the end of my meetings and now I am at the point where I must decide.  I think I am lucky to be in this kind of situation and I could not put up any results in America.  I recognized my lack in ability and I am here now because I want to start over from scratch.  I want to consider everything and select the team I want to play for.

[Post-press conference Q&A]

What about the playing at positions other than second and short?

I may be asked to play a position other than second and short, but I do not think it is necessary to have a guaranteed position.  If I can not put up results, then teams should not use me since they probably have other players.  I want teams to do that.  This is a competitive market.  It has nothing to do with the contract.  Japan has a different style that is unlike America.  Japan is also about more than the contract.  I do not want to break that tradition.  If I let them baby me, then I think my career as a player will end sooner.  I think I would rather not received that kind of condition.

The team that has not been mentioned is a team in Japan?

Yes.

Have you not met directly with the teams that have not been mentioned?

No, I have met them.  I have also spoken to some over the phone.  But I have left it up to each of the team to decide whether or not they inform the media.  I think there are also teams situations to consider.

Do you feel distress with this decision?

I am already feeling a little distressed. But I said I wanted to get this settled this month and even though this will be a difficult decision, it is good to be in this kind of situation.  So not much distress, since I think I am lucky.

Are you currently working out?

I am practicing.  That is my job.  There is nothing else for me to do.

Source: Daily Sports 11/9/2012

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And earlier this morning, Nikkan Sports reported that the Hanshin Tigers may have prepared a two-year deal worth 600M yen.  Source: Nikkan Sports 11/9/2012

Tsuyoshi Nishioka sat down with the Orix Buffaloes on Wednesday.  His meeting with the team lasted about ninety minutes.  Orix Buffaloes' team director Yoshio Murayama and assistant team director Ryuzo Setoyama attended the meeting.

Nikkan Sports

Nishioka was reportedly offered a three year deal worth 750M yen.

Source: Nikkan Sports 11/8/2012

Sanspo

The Buffaloes are said to have offered Nishioka a two-year deal worth 500M yen.  Source: Sanspo 11/8/2012

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The Hanshin Tigers may offer Nishioka a two-year deal worth over 500M yen.  Source: Sanspo 11/8/2012

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The Tigers are planning to stress that a two-year deal will allow Nishioka exercise the domestic FA option he will most likely earn in 2014.  Source: Sanspo 11/8/2012

Sponichi

The Buffaloes may have offered Nishioka a two-year worth 500M yen.  Source: Sponichi 11/8/2012

Sports Hochi / Sports Hochi Osaka

Nishioka may have been offered a two-year deal worth 500M yen by the Buffaloes.  Source: Sports Hochi 11/8/2012

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The Buffaloes did not hold a press conference after their meeting with Nishioka.  That could be an indication that they are not feeling confident about their chances.  Source: Sports Hochi Osaka 11/8/2012

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The Tigers will sit down with Nishioka at a hotel in Osaka on Friday.  Yutaka Wada will not physically be able to attend since he is currently at fall camp, but he may be able call in during the meeting.  And just in case Nishioka agrees the same day, the team is also preparing a press conference room at the hotel.  Source: Sports Hochi Osaka 11/8/2012

Daily Sports

Orix reportedly offered Nishioka a two-year deal worth 400M yen.  Source: Daily Sports 11/8/2012

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Hanshin Tigers GM Katsuhiro Nakamura has told the media that the Tigers' offer to Nishioka needs to go above what other teams have proposed.  They are expected to go above the Buffaloes' two-year deal at 400M yen.  They will also probably offer him the number seven, provide him with whatever support he needs in his move to the Kansai area, and should be able to offer him either short (if Takashi Toritani leaves) or second.  Source: Daily Sports 11/8/2012