What's the future of baseball in Japan as the best players leave for MLB?

What's the future of baseball in Japan as the best players leave for MLB?

Shohei Ohtani is widely regarded as the best player in Major League Baseball, and Ichiro Suzuki enters the Hall of Fame later this year, reminders that some of the top talent in American baseball is now Japanese.

washington times

14 days ago

Continue reading >>

Blue Jays put 3-time Cy Young Award winner Scherzer on injured with hurt right thumb

Blue Jays put 3-time Cy Young Award winner Scherzer on injured with hurt right thumb

Bell, Lowe slug homers as Nationals beat Phillies to avoid a sweep

Bell, Lowe slug homers as Nationals beat Phillies to avoid a sweep

Torpedo-shaped bats draw attention after Yankees hit team-record 9 homers in rout of Brewers

Torpedo-shaped bats draw attention after Yankees hit team-record 9 homers in rout of Brewers

Nationals mark season opener with pageantry celebrating America's pastime

Nationals mark season opener with pageantry celebrating America's pastime

Orioles swat first-game record six homers, rout Blue Jays

Orioles swat first-game record six homers, rout Blue Jays

Bohm, Realmuto lift the Phillies to a opening day win over Nationals

Bohm, Realmuto lift the Phillies to a opening day win over Nationals

Harper hears boos again at Nationals Park, slugs another homer on opening day for Phillies

Harper hears boos again at Nationals Park, slugs another homer on opening day for Phillies

Juan Soto slugs first homer for Mets in win against Astros

Juan Soto slugs first homer for Mets in win against Astros

Ring bling: Dodgers show off glittering World Series rings in pregame ceremony

Ring bling: Dodgers show off glittering World Series rings in pregame ceremony

No longer sick, Dodgers' Mookie Betts hits a pair of '160-pound homers' as he works to gain weight

No longer sick, Dodgers' Mookie Betts hits a pair of '160-pound homers' as he works to gain weight

Schwarber, Stott and Marsh homer for Phillies as they beat Nationals

Schwarber, Stott and Marsh homer for Phillies as they beat Nationals

Stressed federal workers seek comfort of baseball, hot dogs and cold brews amid uncertain futures

Stressed federal workers seek comfort of baseball, hot dogs and cold brews amid uncertain futures

World Series champion Dodgers to visit Trump, White House next month

World Series champion Dodgers to visit Trump, White House next month

Nationals put lefty Herz on injured list with sprained ligament in pitching elbow

Nationals put lefty Herz on injured list with sprained ligament in pitching elbow

Dylan Crews, Jasson Dominguez, Roki Sasaki among baseball's most intriguing rookies for 2025 season

Dylan Crews, Jasson Dominguez, Roki Sasaki among baseball's most intriguing rookies for 2025 season

'See you later!' Nationals TV play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter to retire after this season

'See you later!' Nationals TV play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter to retire after this season

Nationals unveil new 'City Connect' Jersey for franchise's 20th anniversary

Nationals unveil new 'City Connect' Jersey for franchise's 20th anniversary

Maryland athletic director Damon Evans hired for same role with SMU

Maryland athletic director Damon Evans hired for same role with SMU

Gibson agrees to one-year, $5.25 million deal to return to Orioles

Gibson agrees to one-year, $5.25 million deal to return to Orioles

A one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes baseball card sells for $1.11 million via auction

A one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes baseball card sells for $1.11 million via auction

Shohei Ohtani, Japan series success give MLB momentum heading into season

Shohei Ohtani, Japan series success give MLB momentum heading into season

A 10-year-old boy in Tokyo ended up with Shohei Ohtani's first home run of the season

A 10-year-old boy in Tokyo ended up with Shohei Ohtani's first home run of the season

Soto, Mets power-up in an already lethal NL East

Soto, Mets power-up in an already lethal NL East

Yamamoto, Ohtani deliver in return to Japan, Dodgers beat Cubs in season opener

Yamamoto, Ohtani deliver in return to Japan, Dodgers beat Cubs in season opener

Skenes highlights MLB opening day starter list as youngest since '14 to take mound to begin season

Skenes highlights MLB opening day starter list as youngest since '14 to take mound to begin season

Michigan baseball player apologizes for drug-inspired celebration

Michigan baseball player apologizes for drug-inspired celebration

Dodgers eye first championship repeat since '98-'00 Yankees

Dodgers eye first championship repeat since '98-'00 Yankees

What's the future of baseball in Japan as the best players leave for MLB?

What's the future of baseball in Japan as the best players leave for MLB?

Japan's rise in MLB hits high point in Cubs-Dodgers series

Japan's rise in MLB hits high point in Cubs-Dodgers series

Dodgers' Mookie Betts still struggling with illness, status for opening day in doubt

Dodgers' Mookie Betts still struggling with illness, status for opening day in doubt

The best team in the National League? For two days in Japan, it's looked like the Hanshin Tigers

The best team in the National League? For two days in Japan, it's looked like the Hanshin Tigers

Yamamoto is ready to emerge as a star for the Dodgers, starting with their opener in Japan

Yamamoto is ready to emerge as a star for the Dodgers, starting with their opener in Japan

Gallo plans to try pitching after being released by White Sox

Gallo plans to try pitching after being released by White Sox

Shohei Ohtani and four other Japanese players come home to start the MLB season

Shohei Ohtani and four other Japanese players come home to start the MLB season

Rising to the occasion, Shohei Ohtani hits 2-run HR in return to Japan against Yomiuri Giants

Rising to the occasion, Shohei Ohtani hits 2-run HR in return to Japan against Yomiuri Giants

Rob Manfred considers petition to have Pete Rose posthumously removed from ineligible list

Rob Manfred considers petition to have Pete Rose posthumously removed from ineligible list

Nationals free to negotiate TV deal starting in 2026, settle lengthy MASN dispute with Orioles

Nationals free to negotiate TV deal starting in 2026, settle lengthy MASN dispute with Orioles

Nationals, Orioles resolve yearslong dispute over MASN

Nationals, Orioles resolve yearslong dispute over MASN

Bad Bunny agency announces deal with Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr.

Bad Bunny agency announces deal with Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr.

LOVERRO: Nationals owe Manfred after assist in dissolving MASN deal. What will he want back?

LOVERRO: Nationals owe Manfred after assist in dissolving MASN deal. What will he want back?

Mets spent more in four years than Marlins, Pirates and Rays over the past 21

Mets spent more in four years than Marlins, Pirates and Rays over the past 21

George Mason breaks NCAA Division I record with 23 runs in one inning

George Mason breaks NCAA Division I record with 23 runs in one inning

Walgreens Park? Nationals look to boost budget with jersey patch, stadium sponsors

Walgreens Park? Nationals look to boost budget with jersey patch, stadium sponsors

Brewers RHP Woodruff could make next step in shoulder recovery by pitching in minors game soon

Brewers RHP Woodruff could make next step in shoulder recovery by pitching in minors game soon

Nearing the end of a short spring, Dodgers, Cubs make final preparations for season opener in Japan

Nearing the end of a short spring, Dodgers, Cubs make final preparations for season opener in Japan

Exiled from the Trop, the Rays might have MLB's best home clubhouse at Yankees' spring training site

Exiled from the Trop, the Rays might have MLB's best home clubhouse at Yankees' spring training site

Roberts says he reached 'closure' in contract talks with Dodgers

Roberts says he reached 'closure' in contract talks with Dodgers

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole to have season-ending Tommy John surgery

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole to have season-ending Tommy John surgery

Ohtani's Tokyo airport arrival hidden from fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Japanese star

Ohtani's Tokyo airport arrival hidden from fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Japanese star

Tokyo, Bristol and the A's in Sacramento are among the dates to watch for the MLB season

Tokyo, Bristol and the A's in Sacramento are among the dates to watch for the MLB season

Reliever Phil Maton agrees to 1-year contract with Cardinals

Reliever Phil Maton agrees to 1-year contract with Cardinals

Rays nix $1.3B St. Petersburg ballpark deal, citing storms, delays

Rays nix $1.3B St. Petersburg ballpark deal, citing storms, delays

Orioles hopeful Henderson ready for season but being cautious with rib strain

Orioles hopeful Henderson ready for season but being cautious with rib strain

The Mets have spent more in 4 years than Marlins, Pirates and Rays over the past 21

The Mets have spent more in 4 years than Marlins, Pirates and Rays over the past 21

Walgreens Park? Nationals look to boost budget with jersey patch, stadium sponsors

Walgreens Park? Nationals look to boost budget with jersey patch, stadium sponsors

George Mason baseball team shatters NCAA Division I record with 23 runs in one inning

George Mason baseball team shatters NCAA Division I record with 23 runs in one inning

LOVERRO: Nationals owe Manfred after assist in dissolving MASN deal. What will he want back?

LOVERRO: Nationals owe Manfred after assist in dissolving MASN deal. What will he want back?

Bad Bunny agency announces deal with Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr.

Bad Bunny agency announces deal with Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr.

'So far, so good:' MLB's automated strike zone garners mostly positive reviews at spring training

'So far, so good:' MLB's automated strike zone garners mostly positive reviews at spring training

Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles resolve yearslong dispute over MASN cable channel

Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles resolve yearslong dispute over MASN cable channel