Toronto Blue Jays sign Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto: reports

Kazuma Okamoto of Japan hits a three-run home run during the third inning of the quarterfinal game between Italy and Japan at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, March 16, 2023.

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto, according to multiple media reports.

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman and ESPN insider Jeff Passan both shared news of the deal Saturday afternoon.

Okamato played both first and third base with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball Organization.

The 29-year-old right-handed batter hit 248 home runs with a .277/.361/.521 stat line over 11 NPB seasons, and is a six-time All-Star.

There were no financial details of the reported free agent contract immediately available.

The Blue Jays did not officially announce the signing, but posted “Hello” in Japanese on their X account shortly after the news broke.