Jose Ureña Joins Tohoku Rakuten Eagles! Pacific League News & Updates [Jan 14, 2026] (2026)

Exciting news for baseball fans! The Tohoku Rakuten Eagles have made a significant addition by signing MLB pitcher Jose Ureña, and here’s why you should pay attention. On January 14, the Eagles officially announced that Ureña will be donning the number 22 jersey. With an extensive career in Major League Baseball, he has participated in 251 games, accumulating 44 wins against 78 losses, all while maintaining an earned run average (ERA) of 4.75.

Profile of José Ureña

• Position: Pitcher
  
• Date of Birth: September 12, 1991 (34 years old)
  
• Birthplace: Dominican Republic
  
• Batting/Throwing Hand: Right-handed
  
• Height/Weight: 188 cm / 94 kg
  
• MLB Teams: Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, and now, the Rakuten Eagles.

Jose Ureña's Thoughts

Ureña expressed his gratitude, stating, "I’m very thankful for the chance to play with the Eagles in Japan. I’m looking forward to an amazing season and hope all the fans will join me as we strive for postseason success! Arigato!"

In a related development, the Saitama Seibu Lions have also made headlines by signing Juan Corniel to a developmental player contract on January 9. This move is intriguing as it reflects a commitment to nurturing young talent within the league.

Profile of Juan Corniel

• Name: Juan Corniel
  
• Date of Birth: October 2, 2002 (23 years old)
  
• Height/Weight: 188 cm / 88 kg
  
• Birthplace: Dominican Republic
  
• High School: Centro Educativo Ana Basilia Torres
  
• Position: Infielder
  
• Batting/Throwing Hand: Right-handed (switch hitter)
  
• Team Number: 140

Juan Corniel’s Aspirations

Corniel shared his excitement: "It’s a tremendous honor to join The Lions. I’m sincerely grateful to the organization for this opportunity. I’ll work hard to help the team win while learning from my coaches and teammates. My goal is to become a player that our fans can rely on."

Insights from General Manager Hiroike Koji

Koji commented on Corniel’s potential, describing him as a switch-hitting infielder known for his impressive athleticism and strong arm. Focusing on shortstop and second base, Koji highlighted Corniel’s defensive skills and noted that his batting shows promise, particularly in making sharp hits between fielders. While there is room for improvement in his batting accuracy, Koji believes that with some refinement, Corniel could make substantial progress. He acknowledged Corniel’s recent performance in Triple-A and mentioned positive scouting reports indicating that he is on the verge of a breakthrough, which influenced their decision to acquire him. The team is committed to providing thorough training to support his development.

Chiba Lotte Marines Update

In other news, the Chiba Lotte Marines have announced new numbers for their foreign players. Pitcher Jose Castillo will wear number "11", Andre Jackson will take on number "42", and Sam Long will be assigned number "73". Additionally, Take Kanazawa, serving as the second-unit battery coach, will have his number changed from "73" to "89".

Stay tuned for daily updates on the Pacific League as these exciting developments continue to unfold!