Phillies Sign Koyo Aoyagi to Minor League Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed Japanese right-handed pitcher Koyo Aoyagi to a minor league contract, inviting him to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. Aoyagi, 31, is known for his unique sidearm delivery and has had a successful nine-year career in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with a 3.08 ERA and several accolades, including a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics. The Phillies, under the leadership of president Dave Dombrowski, have been increasing their efforts to recruit Japanese talent as part of a broader international strategy. This move comes after unsuccessful attempts to sign high-profile Japanese players such as Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of whom ultimately joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Phillies hope Aoyagi's signing will pave the way for future engagements with Japanese stars and help strengthen their bullpen, which faces potential gaps with the departure of key players. Jorge Velandia, the Phillies' assistant general manager, expressed enthusiasm for Aoyagi’s distinctive skill set and the potential impact he could have on the team.