Nippon Professional Baseball

asiamajorJapan's top professional league

Coverage

MLB

NPB: Yokohama DeNA BayStars Sign OF Cooper Hummel

Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars have signed outfielder Cooper Hummel, the club announced.

Yuri KarasawaDec 21

Title: Tokyo Olympics Baseball Image ID: 21211400212561 Article: United States' Tyler Austin follows the flight of the ball after hitting a home run in the third inning of a baseball game against Israel at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

MLB

Tyler Austin Returns to United States After Five Seasons in Japan, Signs One-Year Deal With Chicago Cubs

Tyler Austin returns to MLB after six standout seasons in Japan, signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs following success with Yokohama.

Matt Tallarini - World Baseball NetworkDec 20

MLB

NPB: Chiba Lotte Marines Sign RHP Andre Jackson

Nippon Professional Baseball’s Chiba Lotte Marines are signing right-handed pitcher Andre Jackson, the club announced.

Yuri KarasawaDec 18

MLB

At 44, Munenori Kawasaki Keeps Bringing Joy, Bananas To the Ballpark

UD AL-BAYDA, United Arab Emirates – Everyone should be so lucky that they get to…

Leif Skodnick - World Baseball NetworkDec 18

MLB

Japanese Starting Pitcher Kenta Maeda Returns to NPB and Signs with Rakuten Golden Eagles on Two-Year Contract

Kenta Maeda returns to Japan on a two-year deal with the Rakuten Golden Eagles, reuniting with NPB after nine MLB seasons and a long run with Hiroshima.

Matt Tallarini - World Baseball NetworkNov 26

MLB

Munetaka Murakami Officially Posted to MLB

The Tokyo Yakult Swallows are officially posting star slugger Munetaka Murakami to Major League Baseball…

Yuri KarasawaNov 8

AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko — March 22, 2023 Fans in Tokyo celebrate Munetaka Murakami’s home run during Japan’s World Baseball Classic win over the United States.

NPB

WBC Hero and NPB Legend Munetaka Murakami Set To Join MLB After Historic Run in Japan

WBC hero and NPB slugger Munetaka Murakami to be posted for MLB teams after record-breaking power run with Yakult and Japan’s 2023 WBC title.

Julian Guilarte - World Baseball NetworkOct 12

Tokyo Yakult Swallows legend Takahiro Ikeyama, affectionately known as “Bunbunmaru,” returns to lead the club as manager for the 2026 NPB season. Fans across Japan are celebrating his comeback and the revival of the Swallows’ fighting spirit.

NPB

Takahiro Ikeyama Named Tokyo Yakult Swallows Manager, Fans Celebrate “Bunbunmaru” Era

Takahiro “Bunbunmaru” Ikeyama returns to lead the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, reviving the team’s spirit and uniting fans for a new era at Meiji Jingu.

Matt Tallarini - World Baseball NetworkOct 10

Title: Babe Ruth 1934 Image ID: 341121011 Article: A Japanese pitcher tries to catch Babe Ruth off first base but the empire calls Ruth safe, Nov. 21, 1934, during an exhibition game in Meiji Stadium, Tokyo. (AP Photo)

MLB

Negro Leagues and Japan One Hundred Years of Baseball Influence

Ichiro’s Hall of Fame nod highlights a century-long link between Japan and the Negro Leagues, from barnstorming tours to global baseball influence.

Matt Tallarini - World Baseball NetworkJul 25