Phillies Sign Japanese Players to Minor League Deals

Originally published Feb. 5, 2010.

According to Daily Sports Online, the Phillies signed Shigetoshi Yamakita and Naoyo Okamoto to minor league deals.  They each spent 2009 with the Shonan Searex, a minor league team of the Yokohama Bay Stars.  Both players are left-handed pitchers.

Yamakita, 32, posted a 2.47 ERA in 27 innings.  Okamoto, 26, had a 5.28 ERA in 15.1 innings.

UPDATE (Feb 7, 1:50 PM): Todd Zolecki tweets “Contrary to reports, the Phillies haven’t signed any Japanese pitchers.”  Basically, the Phillies haven’t officially announced any form of signing.

In other minor league signings, the Phillies added veteran outfielder Freddy Guzman.  Guzman is currently playing in the Caribbean Series and made highlights when he stole home.  The switch-hitter spent most of 2009 in different Triple-A affiliates, however he played in ten games with the New York Yankees, and stole four bases.