The NPB's first week produced a number of story lines, such as Yuki Saito's debut with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Yokohama BayStars slugger Terrmel Sledge's red-hot start and Tokyo Yakult Swallows pitcher Tatsuyoshi Masubuchi's flirtation with a no-hitter.
Still, as far as signs of encouragement go, it's hard to overlook the efforts of a group of foreign pitchers over the past week.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles hurler Darrell Rasner, Hanshin Tigers pitcher Jason Standridge, the Chiba Lotte Marines' Hayden Penn and Hiroshima Carp newcomer Bryan Bullington all got off to strong starts with big performances on the mound.