From April 4:

Hitters

Pitchers

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Hideki Okajima will start the season at Triple-A Sacramento and Hiroyuki Nakajima on the 15-day DL with a hamstring injury.  From the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser:

... Evan Scribner snagged the final bullpen slot, with lefty Pedro Figueroa and non-roster relievers Hideki Okajima and Mike Ekstrom heading to Triple-A Sacramento...

Nakajima was disappointed to land on the DL. He's never had a hamstring injury before, and Melvin said that the A's want to be careful with it because hamstrings can recur easily if they don't heal fully. He said he will be OK with a rehab assignment with Sacramento – something Melvin says would be part of the plan- and he will continue to get adjusted to U.S. baseball. I asked what he's learned so far, and he said, "The style – everything is different. Lifestyle, language everything. But I really believe all this experience will serve as a benefit for me in the long run."

... There's little doubt that things have not clicked yet for Nakajima, either offensively or defensively, so it would not be a surprise if he spends more time at Sacramento than just a rehab assignment, but the A's do continue to believe that Nakajima will be able to hit in the big leagues, once he adjusts.

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The Chicago Cubs purchased Hisanori Takahashi's contract.  From the MLB.com's Carrie Muskat:

... Baker was placed on the 60-day DL on Sunday, and the Cubs selected the contracts of non-roster invitees Lillibridge and Hisanori Takahashi, who earned the last spot in the bullpen...

The addition of Takahashi, who will turn 38 on Tuesday, gives the Cubs another lefty in the bullpen besides James Russell. In nine Cactus League games, including two starts, Takahashi gave up nine runs on 21 hits over 18 1/3 innings.

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Tsuyoshi Wada was placed on the 15-day DL.  From an official press release:

The Orioles today announced that they have placed RHP STEVE JOHNSON (right lat strain), INF WILSON BETEMIT (right knee ligament sprain) and LHP TSUYOSHI WADA (left elbow surgery) on the disabled list. Wada is retroactive to March 22, Johnson is retroactive to March 23 and Betemit is retroactive to March 26.

The Cleveland Indians re-signed Daisuke Matsuzaka to a minor league.  From MLB.com's Jordan Bastian:

The Indians' goal of keeping Daisuke Matsuzaka and Matt Capps came to fruition Tuesday, when the club signed both pitchers to Minor League contracts. The right-handers will remain in Major League camp through Saturday.

Cleveland initially signed Matsuzaka and Capps to Minor League contracts this offseason, but released the pitchers earlier this week after informing them that they would not make the Opening Day roster. By releasing and re-signing the players, the Indians avoid paying them each a $100,000 retention bonus.

... "Dice-K, I tried to remind him of this yesterday," Indians manager Terry Francona said on Tuesday. "He's two years removed now from Tommy John. There's no reason he can't be the Dice-K that won 18 games. He just needs some repitition and some confidence, and he's got to remember who he is. I know when he used to take the ball and take the mound, he always felt like he was going to win. He needs to get that back."

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Hiroyuki Nakajima hurt his left hamstring.  From MLB.com Jane Lee:

... Just hours after announcing that Adam Rosales would start the season on the disabled list, the A's watched shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima exit the 10th inning of a road game against the Indians with a left hamstring strain. He's considered day to day.

... Nakajima suffered the injury while running from first to second on a sacrifice bunt, just minutes after he had found his way out of a 0-for-20 slump with a base hit. He motioned for a trainer and walked off the field with a slight limp under his own power, ultimately deferring questions from the media before getting on the team bus.

... Healthy or not, Nakajima still has work to do.

"He was working on some stuff in batting practice today, trying to use his back side and get his legs more involved," Melvin said. "He had a good BP today and took a good swing on that one there in the 10th, so maybe he's making progress, finding something that's working for him."

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Tsuyoshi Wada threw sixty pitches in the bullpen on Monday (fastballs plus change-ups).  He told reporters that he did not feel any discomfort or pain in his left elbow.  If things continue to progress smoothly, he could pitch in a rehab game in April, opening up the possibility of a return to the MLB roster in May or June.

Source: Sponichi 3/27/2013

Via Nikkan Sports, Tsuyoshi Wada is reportedly making good progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.  From MASN's Roch Kubatko:

You can include Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada in the rotation mix if he's fully recovered from last May's Tommy John surgery. We were told at the Winter Meetings that he's ahead of schedule.

Wada also posted the following update at his blog on the 29th:

It has been a while.

I was in Japan for three weeks, but now I am back in the America.

Next year will be very important for me.  I have no time to rest.  I hope to begin my rehab again tomorrow.

It was nice to be back in Japan.  During my three weeks, acquaintances and friends warmly cheered me on.

I will do my best so that I can return next year in a more dignified manor.

I wish everyone a great New Year.

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A number of teams have expressed an interested in Daisuke Matsuzaka this winter, but none have apparently offered enough to sign him.  A return to Japan cannot be ruled out entirely.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/31/2012

And from the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo:

Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP, free agent - He prefers to stay in the US, but Japan may not be out of the question, depending on what type of deal he gets. He prefers San Diego, but so far there's no indication that the feeling is mutual.

Tsuyoshi Wada currently maxes out at around sixty to seventy meters during long-distance throwing.  He is hoping to toss a bullpen session in February.  He could pitch in game-type situations as early as March or April.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/16/2012

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Koji Uehara left for the US out of Narita Airport on Sunday.  He is scheduled for a physical and if everything is good, his contract with the Boston Red Sox will become official.

"I want to play for a team that needs me.  I felt that the most with Boston.  Now, I just need to return that feeling," said Uehara.

Source: Nikkan Sports 12/16/2012

Uehara was a guest on TBS' Sunday Morning today and said that he would have seriously considered playing in the WBC if he got an invite.  Source: Sponichi 12/16/2012

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The Hanshin Tigers and Yokohama Bay Stars are scheduled to speak to Fukudome's agent over the phone some time today.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/17/2012, Sponichi 12/17/2012, Sponichi 12/17/2012

The Tigers may be willing to up the incentives on their offer to Kosuke Fukudome.  Source: Sanspo 12/17/2012

Hyun-Jin Ryu could end up pitching in Japan, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez.  A snip:

"Japan is a very viable option for him," said Scott Boras, who disputed the notion that his client doesn't have any leverage in his negotiations with the Dodgers.

... Boras and the Dodgers appear to be far apart in how they think Ryu should be compensated.

... Boras wants Ryu to be paid comparably to a No. 3 major league starter, similar to how Daisuke Matsuzaka was when he signed with the Boston Red Sox before the 2007 season.

And from a separate Los Angeles Times' article by Hernandez:

The Dodgers offered a long-term contract to South Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin on Tuesday that was promptly rejected, General Manager Ned Colletti said.

... Boras, said his client should be compensated like a major league No. 3 starter. So, presumably, he’s looking for something in the $50-million range.

... But the idea of Ryu moving to Japan appears far fetched.

It's uncertain exactly how such a move would be made. A South Korean player has never moved to Japan before becoming a free agent. Ryu is under the Eagles' control for two more seasons.

... There is no posting system between the Japanese and South Korean leagues.  Theoretically, a Japanese team interested in Ryu could pay the Eagles for his rights. But it's doubtful a Japanese club would pay anything close to $25.7 million if Ryu only wants a one-year contract. In that case, the Eagles would probably hold on to Ryu for another season and post him again next year.

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The San Francisco Giants still have interested in Ichiro Suzuki.  From SFGate.com:

Bochy on Ichiro Suzuki: "He is a guy that we discussed last season, and of course he's been in our discussions at times this" offseason.

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The Houston Astros' interest in Hideki Matsui, from the Houston Chronicle's Brian T. Smith:

Porter and Luhnow are equally aware Houston needs a reliable bat. But the Astros' GM appeared to shoot down any real interest in Matsui after Porter brought Godzilla to the surface.

"It's one of many names," Luhnow said. "There's nothing specific that's been done on that."

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The latest on Kyuji Fujikawa, from MLB.com's Carrie Muskat:

The Cubs are expected to complete the agreement with Japanese pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa on Friday. The right-hander has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $9.5 million contract, which includes vesting options valued at $5.5 million or $6 million, to be determined by games finished.

The deal has not been finalized, but Cubs manager Dale Sveum has watched video of Fujikawa and likes what he's seen.

"He can fill any kind of role, he has that kind of stuff," Sveum said. "Those numbers and that ability to do things with three, four different pitches just doesn't come around very often. He can set up, he can close. He can do anything he wants with a baseball. He has four quality pitches and can add and subtract with his fastball. He can pitch in the seventh, pitch in the eighth, pitch in the ninth. He can get left-handers out and pitch in any type of situation." 

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The Oakland A's met with Hiroyuki Nakajima on Tuesday, according to Ken Rosenthal.

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Takashi Saito would like to play in the Majors next season.  Japan has not been ruled out.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/5/2012

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The latest on Tsuyoshi Wada, from the Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly:

On the health front, Showalter said he believes outfielder Nolan Reimold (neck surgery), Brian Matusz (hernia surgery) and Tsuyoshi Wada (Tommy John surgery) are all recuperating well. Showalter said he believes Wada, who had surgery May 11, could be available before most originally expected, though he wouldn't predict a date. It usually takes a year or more to recover from the surgery.

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The Dodgers will hand out Hideo Nomo bobbleheads will be handed out to the first 50,000 fans on August 10.  Source: MLB.com 12/4/2012

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UPDATE 12/6 @ 12:18am -

The Milwaukee Brewers may be interested in Hideki Okajima.  Source: Sponichi 12/5/2012

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Japan is not an option for Hisanori Takahashi in 2013.  Source: Sponichi 12/5/2012

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The Baltimore Orioles could be interested in Kensuke Tanaka (as a utility infielder).  Source: Sponichi 12/5/2012

Games from October 3:

New York Yankees 14 - Boston Red Sox 2 [Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (NYY) started in left and batted second.  He went 1-for-5: pop out out third, ground out to first, ground out to second, ground out to short (reached on force; stole second; run scored), two-run double to right (run scored).  Ichiro moved from left to right in the top of the 8th. [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports, Sponichi]

Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game and allowed two runs (both earned) over seven innings of work.  He got the win and is 16-11.  Final line: 7 IP, 94-57 NP-S, 28 BF, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports, Sponichi]

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) started the game and gave up five runs (all earned) over 2.1 innings of work.  He took the loss and is 1-7.  Final line: 2.1 IP, 43-27 NP-S, 14 BF, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 2 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Junichi Tazawa (BOS) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th, with the Red Sox down 14-2, and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 7-5 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Atlanta Braves 4 - Pittsburgh Pirates 0
Hisanori Takahashi (PIT) entered the game in the top of 7th, with the Pirates down 4-0, and put runners on first and third with one out before striking out two batters in a row to end the inning.  Final line: 1 IP, 14-12 NP-S, 5 BF, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports, Sponichi]

Oakland A's 12 - Texas Rangers 5
Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the bottom of the 6th -- runner on first, two out, Rangers down 8-5 -- and struck out Brandon Moss to end the inning.  He also tossed a perfect 7th.  Final line: 1.1 IP, 15-11 NP-S, 4 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, WP. [Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports, Sponichi]

San Deigo Padres 7 - Milwaukee Brewers 6
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started the game in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-5: fly out to right, single to center (run scored), ground out to short, ground out to short, strikeout swinging. [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

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Yu Darvish (TEX) will be starting Game 1 of the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.  From ESPN's Richard Durrett:

It's what Darvish has done the last six or seven weeks that makes this the right call. Matt Harrison has been the club's most consistent pitcher all season long and has more playoff experience. But Darvish has been dominant, has swing-and-miss stuff and is pitching with a bunch of confidence.

... Look at the numbers his last eight starts. He's 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA. He has 67 strikeouts and 15 walks and opponents are hitting just .176 in that span. Those are numbers worthy of a top playoff starter. Darvish will get his chance to prove that's what he is now. That should be fun to watch.

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Tsuyoshi Wada (BAL) gave the Baltimore Orioles a report on his progress on October 1 -- he started playing catch at a distance of about eighteen meters in late September.  Wada is hoping to be ready to throw by spring training next year.  Source: Nikkan Sports 10/4/2012

Games from June 2:

Seattle Mariners 10 - Chicago White Sox 8
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted first.  He went 2-for-6: solo homer (2) to right, solo homer (3) to right, line out to third, ground out to third, ground out to short, ground out to short. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi, Sponichi]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) entered the game as a pinch-runner for Jesus Montero in the top of the 12th; he came around to score one out later on a double to center by John Jaso.  Kawasaki remained in the game as DH. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) entered the game in the bottom of the 12th, with the Mariners up 10-8, and tossed a shutout inning in relief for his second save of the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 18-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Baltimore Orioles 2 - Tampa Bay Rays 1
Hideki Matsui (TBR) started in left and batted sixth.  He went 0-for-4: strikeout swinging, ground out to second, pop out to short, ground out to second. [Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Detroit Tigers 4 - New York Yankees 3
Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game and allowed two runs over seven innings of work.  Final line: 7 IP, 86-53 NP-S, 27 BF, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR, 1 WP. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Milwaukee Brewers 5 - Pittsburgh Pirates 1
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in left and batted second.  He went 1-for-4: ground out to short, strikeout looking, reaches on throwing error (E5), single to left. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

LA Angels 3 - Texas Rangers 2
Yu Darvish (TEX) started the game and allowed three runs (two earned) over 6.1 innings.  He took the loss and is now 7-3.  Final line: 6.1 IP, 111-71 NP-S, 30 BF, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO, 0 HR. [Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Sponichi, Sponichi]

Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th with the bases loaded and one out.  Uehara allowed on inherited runner to score on a sac fly to right before getting the final out of the inning.  Final line: 0.2 IP, 16-13 NP-S, 2 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi]

Lehigh Valley 5 - Pawtucket 4 (AAA)  First game of a doubleheader.
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the bottom of the 5th with runners on second and third and two out.  Tazawa got out of the inning on a fly out to right.  He struck out the side in the 6th before giving up a game-ending RBI single to Derrick Mitchell in the bottom of the 7th.  Tazawa took the loss and is 3-2.  Final line: 1.2 IP, 29-20 NP-S, 9 BF, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Rochester 3 - Columbus 0 (AAA)  First game of a doubleheader.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted first.  He went 1-for-3: pop out to second, fly out to right, double to right (run scored). [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Columbus 1 - Rochester 0 (AAA) Second game of a doubleheader.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted first.  He went 2-for-3: single to right, bunt single, fly out to left.

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Takashi Saito (ARI) gave up two runs on two hits over one inning of work during a minor league practice game on Saturday.  He threw a total 23 pitches.  Source: Daily Sports 6/3/2012, Nikkan Sports 6/3/2012

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Tsuyoshi Wada (BAL) met with the team on Saturday in St. Petersburg to provide them with an update on his progress.  Source: Daily Sports 6/3/2012

Games from May 31:

Milwaukee Brewers 6 - Los Angeles Dodgers 1
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in left and batted first.  He went 1-for-5: ground out to third, ground out to third (force), pop out to catcher in foul territory, ground out to third, ground out to second (force, run scored).  Aoki's six game hitting streak came to an end. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Norfolk 2 - Pawtucket 0 (AAA)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (PAW) started the game and allowed a run (earned) over 5.1 innings of work.  Final line: 5.1 IP, 76-51 NP-S, 17 BF, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports]

Charlotte 5 - Rochester 1 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) was the starting DH and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: ground out to third, single to left, fly out to left, reaches on fielding error (E6). [Nikkan Sports]

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Tsuyoshi Wada (BAL) worked out (lower body) at the team training facilities in Sarasota, Florida on Thursday.  Wada had TJ surgery on his left elbow on May 11 and started his rehab on May 23.  Source: Daily Sports 6/1/2012

Games from May 23:

Seattle Mariners 5 - Texas Rangers 3 [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 0-for-4: line into double play, ground out to third, ground out to short, strikeout swinging. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th, with the Rangers down 5-0, and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 24-17 NP-S, 4 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Milwaukee Brewers 8 - San Francisco Giants 5
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in right and batted second.  He went 1-for-3: sac bunt (reaches on E1 - throwing, run scored), infield single (stole second, run scored), line out to right, strikeout swinging, walk. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

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Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) threw forty pitches in the bullpen on Wednesday.  He also worked on his change while working from the wind and set positions.  Kuroda's next start will come against Oakland on May 27th.

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Tsuyoshi Wada's (BAL) first day of rehab at the training facilities Sarasota, Florida on Wednesday lasted about three and a half hours and included stretching and riding an exercise bike.

Wada had his stitches removed on Monday.

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Yu Darvish (TEX) kept his workouts light on Wednesday -- played catch, did some running, stretched in the outfield.