Slugger Nakamura to join Orix
December 21, 2005Slugger Norihiro Nakamura, who played in the U.S. minor leagues for much of this year, has agreed to join the Orix Buffaloes, baseball sources said Wednesday. Nakamura has accepted an offer Orix made earlier this month and is expected to occupy a...
Icho wins 48-kg title at nationals
December 21, 2005Olympic silver medalist Chiharu Icho overpowered Makiko Sakamoto in the women's 48-kilogram final to win her first title in two years at the national wrestling championships on Wednesday. Icho, who missed out on a place at last year's world champi...
Urawa signs former Brazil striker Washington
December 21, 2005Urawa Reds have acquired former Brazil striker Washington from relegated Tokyo Verdy, officials of the J-League first-division club said Wednesday. Washington finished second-top scorer in the J-League this season with 22 goals in 33 league appear...
Japan to begin World Cup build-up with Miyazaki camp
December 21, 2005Japan will begin the World Cup year with a weeklong training camp in Miyazaki next month ahead of two friendlies against the United States and Finland. Japan coach Zico is set to name a domestic-based group of players for the Jan 29-Feb 4 get-toge...
Yanagisawa mulling Kashima return
December 21, 2005Japan striker Atsushi Yanagisawa is considering a move back to former club Kashima Antlers from Italian Serie A side Messina, his agent revealed Wednesday. "It seems as though Kashima are hoping he will come back and Yanagisawa is also giving it s...
Sikorski leaves Rakuten
December 21, 2005The Rakuten Eagles said Wednesday they have terminated the contract of Brian Sikorski and released the former Yomiuri Giants right-hander only a month after acquiring his services. Rakuten claimed Sikorski from waivers last month after the 31-year...
Nippon Ham to try for Ishii
December 21, 2005The Nippon Ham Fighters will join the Yakult Swallows in the hunt for left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii who was cut by the New York Mets this week, officials of the Pacific League club said Wednesday. The 32-year-old has a 39-34 career record with a 4.44...
Lotte infielder Kosaka traded to Yomiuri
December 21, 2005The Yomiuri Giants have acquired infielder Makoto Kosaka from the Lotte Marines in a cash trade, the Central League club said Wednesday. Kosaka, 32, will earn 110 million yen in annual salary next year under a one-year deal with Yomiuri after help...
Ishino, Tabata move closer to Olympic berths
December 21, 2005Eriko Ishino won the women's 3,000 meters in a meet-record time at the speed skating national championships on Wednesday and Maki Tabata took second as both all but secured berths at the Turin Winter Olympics. Ishino came home in a time of 4 minut...
Yakult signs former Hiroshima infielder Larocca
December 21, 2005The Yakult Swallows announced Wednesday the acquisition of infielder Greg Larocca, who was released by the Hiroshima Carp earlier in the offseason. Yakult and Larocca, 33, have agreed on a deal that will earn him $750,000 with a performance bonus...