Japanese right-handed pitcher Kaima Taira set to move to Major League Baseball

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese right-hander Kaima Taira wants to move to Major League Baseball.

His team, the Seibu Lions, announced it will allow him to pursue a career in MLB via the posting system that allows certain players to sign abroad.

The 26-year-old Taira was 12-5 this season in Japan with an ERA of 1.36. He has a career record in Japan of 37-24.

"As a pitcher, my goal is to win a Cy Young award," the Japanese news agency Kyodo quoted him as saying. "And I'd like to pitch in the World Series as well."

In 2025, Taira had 31 saves for the Lions.

Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato recently announced he also wants to move to American baseball. He hit 39 home runs this season with 106 RBIs.

Japanese players have made a huge mark on MLB, particularly over the past three decades.

Former Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki has been elected to the Hall of Fame. Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in 2025 helped the Los Angeles Dodgers become MLB's first repeat World Series champion in a quarter-century, with Ohtani earning a fourth MVP award and Yamamoto selected World Series MVP.