Yankees pursue 21-year-old Japanese pitcher Hironari Hiroike
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 9, 2026, 5:00 AM
Last updated Nov 9, 2026
The New York Yankees are reportedly focusing on signing 21-year-old Japanese right-hander Hironari Hiroike, who previously played at Keio University in Tokyo. Hiroike has shown promise with a 2.88 ERA and a strikeout rate of 11.52 in Japan's Tokyo Big6 Baseball League. His fastball reaches the mid-90s, and he is expected to secure a minor league deal in MLB. Meanwhile, the Yankees continue to address their offseason needs, particularly looking for an infield bat and potentially revisiting their catcher position after extending a qualifying offer to closer David Bednar.
- •Hironari Hiroike had a 2.88 ERA in the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League.
- •Yankees are looking for an infield bat as a pressing need.
- •Austin Wells remains the primary catcher, but trade discussions may resume.
- •Yankees extended a qualifying offer to closer David Bednar.
- 5:00 AMYahoo Sports — Yankees news: New York leads race for 21-year-old Japanese pitcher
"Yankees reportedly want to sign Japanese righty; Yanks’ biggest offseason need; Will NY upgrade the catcher position?
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