Giant Tiger

Nippon Professional Baseball free-agency talk is heating up in Japan, with Hiroshima Carp pitcher Masanori Morishita named alongside teammates Tōko Tokoda and Lotte's Kojima as players who could trigger bidding wars if they declare for FA. Reports also focus on Hiroshima catcher Shogo Sakakura, with the Yomiuri Giants, Hanshin Tigers and Lotte all said to be tracking him as teams look to strengthen rosters after losing seasons.

The Hanshin Tigers have appointed Kenji Yano, who left the Yomiuri Giants, as their first-team head hitting coach. The club held an introductory press conference, which was covered on its official site. Reports say Katsuo Hirata, previously second-team manager, has been moved to head coach. Attention is also on Yano's move from the Giants and on related coaching changes, including Giants coach Kazunari Minemitsu applying to leave at the end of the season.

Yomiuri Giants officials say their contentious draft selection of pitcher Oda Shoki was simply a decision the club had to make, describing the behind-the-scenes tension over the so-called forced pick. Hanshin manager Fujikawa Kyuji, whose Tigers were involved, was reportedly relaxed and satisfied with how negotiations unfolded. The exchange between the two rival clubs has drawn attention from baseball fans in Japan.