Kazuma Okamoto close to the Toronto Blue Jays
The renowned Japanese baseball player, Kazuma Okamoto, is about to join the Toronto Blue Jays, according to sources close to the matter.
The news, initially reported by specialized sources, has not yet been officially confirmed by the organization.Outstanding Career in Japan
Okamoto, 29, has been a key figure for the Yomiuri Giants, one of the most emblematic teams in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
During his career in Japan, Okamoto established himself as one of the most powerful hitters in the league, participating in six All-Star Games and winning the Central League home run title three times (2020, 2021, and 2023).
Since his debut in 2018, Okamoto achieved six consecutive seasons with at least 30 home runs, reaching a personal record of 41 home runs in 2023.
Defensively, Okamoto has shown versatility, playing both third base and first base, and has been recognized with three Gold Gloves in Japan.
In the 2025 season, a left elbow injury limited his participation to 69 games. Despite this, he had a notable offensive performance, with a .327 average, a 1.014 OPS, 15 home runs, and 49 RBIs.
In his 11 seasons in the NPB, Okamoto accumulated a batting line of .277/.361/.521, with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs.
In addition, Okamoto was a key player on the Japan team that won the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he recorded an OPS of 1.278 and hit a home run in the final against the United States.
Okamoto was included in the posting system by the Yomiuri Giants, allowing him to fulfill his desire to play in the Major Leagues starting in the 2026 season.
If the agreement is confirmed, Okamoto would become the most recent impact player from Yomiuri to reach MLB, following in the footsteps of figures like Hideki Matsui.
