Overview
- The 50th Japan Industrial Baseball Championship is underway at Kyocera Dome Osaka with 32 company teams competing.
- Seibu announced it will start the posting process for 28-year-old right-hander Kouna Takahashi to pursue MLB opportunities, with the pitcher expressing gratitude for the chance.
- Kenta Maeda, after a decade in MLB, has indicated an intention to return to Japanese baseball next season, according to Jiji reporting.
- NPB released its 2026 schedule, opening March 27 with Giants–Tigers, DeNA–Swallows, and Carp–Dragons, with 143 games per club including interleague play.
- MLB published 2026 spring dates, with the Dodgers opening February 21 in Arizona against the Angels, as part of the announced Cactus and Grapefruit League slate.