Overview
- The Baseball Hall of Fame Museum announced on Jan. 15 that Hideki Kuriyama, 64, was elected in the expert category, honoring his managerial achievements.
- Tatsunori Hara lauded Kuriyama at the notification ceremony and recalled advising him in 2013 to back Ohtani’s two-way potential.
- On Jan. 16, NPB released a second wave of World Baseball Classic selections, adding 11 players and bringing Japan’s named roster to 19.
- Additions include pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, infielder Teruaki Sato, pitcher Hiroki Matsumoto, catchers Seishiro Sakamoto and Kenya Wakatsuki, infielders Shugo Maki, Sosuke Genda and Taisei Makihara, and outfielders Kensuke Kondoh, Ukyo Shuto and Shota Morishita.
- Sugano was chosen despite being a free agent after a 10–10, 4.64 ERA season with MLB’s Orioles, with manager Hirokazu Ibata noting discussions with the player and a selection approach based on multi-year performance as the roster takes shape for March.