Roki Sasaki Signs One-Year Extension with Chiba Lotte Marines Amid MLB Interest

Despite expressing a desire to play in the U.S. Major Leagues, the young Japanese baseball sensation will remain in Japan until at least 2025.

Roki Sasaki, a 22-year-old Japanese baseball sensation, has signed a one-year contract extension with the Chiba Lotte Marines, despite expressing a desire to play in the U.S. Major Leagues.
Sasaki, who has already made two NPB All-Star appearances and thrown a perfect game in Japan's top league, will not be moving to North America until at least 2025.
Under MLB's international free agency policy, Sasaki would be limited to a minor league contract if he chose to move to the MLB this season, due to not having completed six seasons in a foreign league.
Interest in NPB talent spiked after Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed a twelve-year, $325 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Reports suggest that Sasaki may have negotiated a contract that will allow him to leave for the MLB earlier, potentially after the 2024 season.