The Yokohama BayStars, who recently lost slugger Bobby Rose to retirement, said Wednesday that they reached agreements with four new North American imports.
The BayStars, who finished the 2000 season with a 3.92 earned run average, have reportedly come to terms with pitchers Mark Holzemer and Shane Bowers of the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
They also have an agreement with infielder Dave Doster of the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate in Scranton, Pa., and Jon Zuber, an infielder from the New York Yankees minor-league club in Columbus.
Southpaw Holzemer made 25 appearances with the Phillies during the past season.
Sasaki works out
YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa Pref. (Kyodo) Seattle Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki went through a light workout at the practice field of his old club, the Yokohama BayStars, on Wednesday, just a day after returning from the U.S.
"I haven't had a workout for a while, so my body feels kind of sluggish. I haven't thrown a ball since the playoff game with New York," he said.
Sasaki, who posted a major-league rookie record 37 saves this year for the Mariners, will play for the MLB team in an exhibition series with Japan's top pros next month.