In case, you didn’t know already, the Chicago Cubs have signed only three Japanese-born players in franchise history. The first was outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who didn’t really pan out and later found himself with the Chicago White Sox.
Just a few years later, they signed reliever Kyuji Fujikawa who made his major league debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. His stint with the Cubs wouldn’t last long when he needed to undergo Tommy John Surgery and was unable to find his groove.
The Texas Rangers rolled the dice on the 35-year-old right-hander by signing him to a one-year deal, only to release him a year after he injured his arm.