Power-hitting Japanese infielder Okamoto Kazuma (29·Yomiuri Giants), who is seeking a move to Major League Baseball through the posting system, was replaced after just one plate appearance in the exhibition game against Korea. It was a planned substitution, not an injury.
Japan national baseball team member Okamoto started as the cleanup designated hitter in the first exhibition game against Korea of the 2025 K-Baseball Series at Tokyo Dome on the 15th and left after recording one at-bat and no hits.
Leading off in the bottom of the second, Okamoto lined the third pitch from Korean starter Kwak Bin into center field for an out, and was replaced by pinch-hitter Nakamura Yuhei with one out and a runner on first in the bottom of the fourth.
According to Japanese media including Sports Nippon, Okamoto said after the game, "The substitution was planned. There is nothing wrong," and "The game was fun." Japan won the game against Korea 11-4.
According to several reports, more than 10 major league clubs, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox, had scouts gathered behind the back netting at Tokyo Dome that day. Scouts who came to Tokyo Dome to see Okamoto left a bit disappointed after watching only one plate appearance.
Okamoto, a right-handed third baseman who joined Yomiuri as the top pick in the 2014 draft, has played 11 seasons with a career total of 1,074 games, a .277 batting average (3,934 at-bats, 1,089 hits), 248 home runs, 717 RBIs and an OPS of .882. After establishing himself as a starter with 33 home runs in 2018, he won the Central League home run title three times in 2020 (31), 2021 (39) and 2023 (41). In 2023, he helped Japan win by hitting a home run off Kyle Freeland (Colorado Rockies) in the World Baseball Classic final.
This year he suffered a left arm injury in a collision with a baserunner while fielding in early May and missed three months, but in 69 games he showed tremendous hitting production when healthy, batting .327 (251 at-bats, 82 hits) with 15 home runs, 49 RBIs and an OPS of 1.014. After the season, with Yomiuri club permission, he decided to challenge Major League Baseball through the posting system.
MLB.com reported, "Okamoto's hitting production improved after returning from injury. During his NPB career he played third base more often than first base, and recent MLB comparables include Aramis Ramirez and Vinny Castilla," and added, "Potential destinations mentioned include the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers. Both teams urgently need improved production at third base." ESPN, which ranked Okamoto 21st among this year's free agents, projected a three-year, $36 million contract, averaging $12 million per year.
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