From April 22:

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Pitchers

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According to Daily Sports, a Yankees' scout will be at tonight's Rakuten game.

Source: Daily Sports 4/23/2013

Nikkan Sports provides a quick summary of MLB teams that have sent scouts to check on the Eagles: Rangers during spring camp in February; Phillies, Padres, Rays, Rangers, and Giants to a game against Nippon Ham on April 9; Dodgers on April 16.

Source: Nikkan Sports 4/23/2013

From April 18:

Hitters

Pitchers

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From April 14:

Hitters

Pitchers

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From April 10:

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From April 7:

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From April 5:

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Manny Ramirez hit the CPBL's 7,000th home run on April 4.

Source: Nikkan Sports 4/6/2013

Daisuke Matsuzaka was released by the Cleveland Indians on Monday.

The Plain Dealers' Paul Hoynes also tweeted the following:

#Indians release Dice-K from current contract. It's believed they're renegotiating a new one with him to keep him in organization. [link]

By releasing Dice-K now, #Indians don't have to pay him $100,000 retention bonus Tues, while renegotiating his deal.  [link]

Source: official Tweet

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An undisclosed number of teams showed interest in Yoshinori Tateyama, but he ultimately decided to re-sign with the Rangers because the other offers were not that good.

Source: Sponichi 3/25/2013

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YUniverse T-shirts and K cards will be handed out to fans sitting in the Yu Darvish cheering section during home games.

Source: Star-Telegram, official annoucement

Yoshinori Tateyama was released by the Texas Rangers on Thursday.  Tateyama would like to continue his career in the Majors.

Source: MLB.com 3/21/2013, Star-Telegram 3/21/2013

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Kensuke Tanaka was reassigned to the minors by the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.  From MLB.com's Chris Haft:

Kensuke Tanaka's bid to make the Giants' Opening Day roster ended Thursday, when the club reassigned him to Minor League camp.

... He hit .229 (11-for-48) with a .275 on-base percentage and a .250 slugging percentage in 19 Cactus League games. The non-roster invitee also committed seven of the 19 errors the Giants have recorded.

Primarily a second baseman, Tanaka also played shortstop and third base in spring games in an attempt to fit a utility infielder's profile. But he committed at least one error at each position.

"I'll say this -- he's one of the hardest workers you'll see," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "But coming here is an adjustment for him. He's had a lot on his plate, trying to play short and third."

Bochy indicated that Tanaka would likely accept the move to Triple-A Fresno, though that would force the 31-year-old to accept the transition from stardom in the Japanese big leagues to the humbler environment of the Minors. Tanaka worked out with the Giants before Thursday night's game against Colorado and will report to Minor League camp on Friday.

Yoshinori Tateyama signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers.  From The Dallas Morning News' Gerry Fraley:

The Texas Rangers signed right-handed reliever Yoshi Tateyama to a minor-league contract and will bring him to spring training on a non-roster basis.

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Hiroyuki Nakajima held a press conference at the Seibu Lions' team offices in Tokorozawa today.  Source: official announcement

"I was to return after successfully signing an MLB deal and holding a press conference over there.  I am grateful to the managers, coaches, staff, and fans that supported me over my twelve-year career with Seibu" said Nakajima.

When asked which pitcher he looked forward to saying, he said, "Should I say [Yu] Darvish? ... If people in Japan are looking forward to it, then I will also look forward to facing Darvish."

Source: Nikkan Sports 12/21/2012

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Perhaps joking, Koji Uehara said that he decided to sign with the Boston Red Sox because they had a heated washlet.

"The clubhouse bathroom had one installed.  I was really happy about that.  I was 99% sure I wanted to sign.  The deciding 1% was the [the washlet]," said Uehara.

Source: Nikkan Sports 12/21/2012

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The latest on Alfredo Figaro, from MLB.com's Adam McCalvy:

The Brewers announced Wednesday that they had reached a Minor League deal with free agent right-hander Alfredo Figaro, who was set to return to the U.S. after two years pitching in Japan.

One problem: He was not a free agent in the first place.

... "I have reached out to the Orix team and advised them that it was not our intent to violate their reservation rights, and if they intend to retain Figaro, we will step aside," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said in an email.

The Brewers do not intend to purchase Figaro's rights from his Japanese club.

New York Yankees finalize deal with Ichiro Suzuki, from the NY Daily News' Mark Feinsand:

... The Yankees officially announced their deal with Ichiro Suzuki, bringing back the 39-year-old outfielder for $13 million over the next two seasons.

"The Yankees are the kind of team that I always envisioned being a part of," Suzuki said. "Everyone in the world of competition has a strong desire to win, but the Yankees also have an atmosphere where losing is not an option. These two observations may sound similar, but I believe it is a rarity to find both coexisting in the same organization.

"I believe the Yankees organization appreciates that there is a difference between a 39-year-old who has played relying only on talent, and a 39-year-old who has prepared, practiced, and thought thoroughly through many experiences for their craft. I am very thankful, and I will do my best to deliver on their expectations."

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More on Hiroyuki Nakajima's contract with the Oakland A's, from the CBSSports.com's wire reports:

Nakajima will get a $1.25 million signing bonus and base salaries of $2.25 million next year and $2.5 million in 2014. He can earn up to $1.3 million in performance bonuses next season. Whatever bonuses he earns will be added to his salary in 2014, when he can earn up to $600,000 in bonuses based on playing time. Nakajima could earn as much as $9.2 million his first two years.

There is also a $500,000 buyout if the A's don't exercise their option for 2015, and Nakajima will be eligible for free agency at the end of the deal. The contract also includes awards bonuses and various perks including an interpreter, flights to and from Japan and moving expenses.

UPDATE @ 10:06pm - Nakajima returned to Japan today.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/20/2012

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Yoshinori Tateyama has received offers from a number of teams, including the Texas Rangers.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/20/2012

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If Tomochika Tsuboi cannot find a place to play in the US next season, he will most likely retire.

Said Tsuboi, "I am not thinking about playing in places like Japan or Korea.  If it does not work out, then I will quit."

Tsuboi signed with the San Rafael Pacifics (North American League) this year before suffering a left shoulder sprain in July and a right shoulder injury in August.  He worked out in Sapporo on Wednesday.

Source: Sponichi 12/20/2012

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Koji Uehara returned to Japan today.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/20/2012

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Former Orix Buffalo Alfredo Figaro signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.  From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt:

The Milwaukee Brewers added to their pitching depth Wednesday by signing right-hander Alfredo Figaro to a minor-league contract for 2013 with an invitation to their spring camp.

... "He has a good arm," said Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash. "He will compete as a starter (in spring training) and move to the pen as needed."