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Japanese NPB Players Who Previously Played in MLB/MiLB

by Darrell Proctor
giants tanaka p2
Masahiro Tanaka left the New York Yankees after the 2020 MLB season, choosing to return to his original team, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Tanaka now pitches for the Yomiuri Giants, with whom he recently got his 200th international win.

The table below lists all of the Japanese players in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) who previously played for a Major League Baseball (MLB) or Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team.

Click here for a list of current NPB import players.

Last updated February 7, 2026. Have any additions or corrections? Please contact us at the form below.

NameNPB TeamPositionFormer MLB Organization
Arihara, KoheiNippon HamPTEX2026
Akiyama, ShogoHiroshimaOFCIN2026
Aoyagi, KoyoYakultPPHI2026
Fujinami, ShintaroYokohamaPOAK/BAL2026
Hirano, YoshihisaOrixPARI / SEA2026
Maeda, KentaRakutenPLAD / MIN / DET2026
Takahaski, KonaSeibuPposted only; did not sign2026
Tanaka, MasahiroYomiuriPNYY2026
Tsutsugo, YoshiYokohamaINFTB/LAD/PIT2026
Uwasawa, NaoyukiFukuoka SoftBankPTB/BOS2026

Have any additions or corrections? Please contact us at the form below.

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