Thursday was one busy day in Japanese pro baseball, starting with a controversial signing of a player with a dark past, the monthly award announcements and a timely return from injury for one of Japan’s biggest stars.

So let’s get started.

Marines confess to signing Osuna

The Lotte Marines on Thursday confessed to signing Roberto Osuna, who received a 75-day suspension from MLB in accordance with its and the MLBPA’s domestic violence protocols. Osuna was charged with domestic violence, but was not tried since the woman who accused him, and with whom he has a child, left Canada and could not be compelled to testify.

Neither the Blue Jays nor the player’s union contested MLB’s suspension, which if they believed his innocence would have been par for that course.

If Osuna is making amends by accepting responsibility for his acts and going out of his way to be a better human being, then more power to him on his path of redemption.

I’m a big believer in second chances, provided they are earned, and not just because the person being handed the chance can throw a fastball better than 99.99 percent of the male population. Perhaps we can get some insight into this from the comments on the Marines’ website.

Marines manager Tadahito Iguchi said on the team website, “He’s a pitcher with a solid track record. On top of a fastball that exceeds 150 kilometers (93.2 miles) per hour, and an assortment of breaking pitches, he has good command and can be relied upon. I hope he can join the team as soon as possible and contribute to winning the championship.”

Ok. Maybe not.

Continue reading NPB news: June 9, 2022 →