Overview
- After a brief visa delay, Kazuma Okamoto arrived in Dunedin on Friday evening and opened his first day with catch, ground balls and introductory drills.
- Manager John Schneider said the club will meet with Okamoto daily and lean on expanded resources to ease his on-field and off-field adjustment.
- Okamoto, a former Yomiuri Giants standout with a four-year, US$60 million contract, drew a sizable Japanese media presence for his first workout.
- Outfielder Jesus Sanchez joined the team after a trade from Houston for Joey Loperfido and took his first swings in the cages.
- Sanchez, a left-handed power hitter who batted .237 with 14 home runs last season, is set for a platoon role in Toronto.