NPB’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters To Post Hiromi Itoh

The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters have officially made right-handed pitcher Hiromi Itoh available to Major League Baseball clubs through the posting system. Alongside Itoh, Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira and Hanshin Tigers utility player Teruaki Sato were also officially posted by their respective Nippon Professional Baseball teams. Once paperwork is complete, Itoh will have a 45-day window to negotiate and sign a major league contract with an interested MLB team.

The 29-year-old starter has pitched over 1,000 innings since his 2021 debut, recording a career 2.92 ERA while leading all qualified NPB starters with 902 strikeouts over the past six seasons. Itoh won the prestigious Sawamura Award in 2025 following a dominant campaign that included a league-best 195 strikeouts. The San Francisco Giants are among the major league franchises reportedly interested in signing the right-hander.