OSAKA -- The Hanshin Tigers have tipped Senichi Hoshino, who stepped down as Chunichi Dragons manager in October, to fill the void left by Thursday's resignation of Katsuya Nomura after his wife was arrested on suspicion of tax evasion.
The Hanshin board of directors approved a decision Friday to offer Hoshino the manager's job to take over from Nomura, who quit following the arrest of his wife and TV personality, Sachiyo, on Wednesday.
"The decision was unanimous and has been conveyed to Mr. Hoshino. He told us he would like to meet us and I'm relived to hear that," Hanshin general manager Katsuyoshi Nozaki said.
Hoshino went 767-670 with 27 ties in two stints as Chunichi boss, leading the club to the CL championship in 1988 and 1999. He resigned after Chunichi finished fifth in 2001.
Eto gets pay rise
Yomiuri Giants infielder Akira Eto on Friday agreed to a new deal carrying an annual salary of 280 million yen, a 40 million yen increase from this year.
Eto earned the raise after hitting .285 and 30 homers with 87 RBIs in his second season with Yomiuri.
Right-hander Koji Uehara, who went 10-7 with a 4.02 earned run average in a season plagued by injuries, signed for 106 million yen with a 30 million yen increase.
Matsunaka rewarded
FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Daiei infielder Nobuhiko Matsunaka on Saturday agreed to a 30 million yen pay raise and re-signed with the Hawks for an annual salary of 180 million yen.