D-backs sign Japanese righty Yoshikawa

PHOENIX -- The D-backs signed Japanese right-hander Shumpei Yoshikawa to a Minor League contract, and he began working out Monday with the rest of the organization's Instructional League team at Salt River Fields.

The 23-year-old is the first Japanese pitcher signed out of Japan's Industrial League since

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Most Japanese players come to the United States after having played in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. Yoshikawa was passed over by NPB twice, but was expected to be drafted in the league's upcoming draft before instead signing with the D-backs for $650,000.

"I always had a desire to play baseball at the highest level and this opportunity arose, so naturally it…