LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to have landed yet another high-profile Japanese star. Flamethrowing right-hander Rōki Sasaki announced on Instagram that he is joining the Dodgers. Sasaki,

Shohei Ohtani reportedly played a large role in starting pitcher Rōki Sasaki signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani was part of a contingent of

Sasaki's nickname is a tribute to legendary Japanese starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was known as the "Monster of the Heisei," referring to different eras of the Japanese calendar. The 23-year-old lost both his father and grandfather during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.