The signing of Sato represents another successful recruiting venture into Japan for Penn State athletics. Wrestling coach Cael Sanderson recently signed Japanese world champion Masanosuke Ono, who won the 2024 Senior World freestyle title at 61 kg by outscoring his opponents 55-2. Ono is redshirting for the Nittany Lions this season.

Penn State baseball is adding one of the best college pitchers in Japan. Genei Sato will join the Nittany Lions in February, although he will not pitch for them until 2027.

Penn State signed Japanese pitcher Genei Sato on Monday, reaching agreement with a potential first-round pick in the 2027 Major League Baseball draft. Sato, a 21-year-old right hander, is expected to enroll at Penn State next summer and will join the Nittany Lions in the fall in order to compete in the 2027 season.

Munetaka Murakami's arrival in the Major Leagues doesn't look like it will stop him from playing in the World Baseball Classic. Murakami told reporters on Monday that he intends to return to Team Japan and play in the upcoming WBC,

Sato previously played for Sendai University in Shibata, Japan, posting a 2.22 ERA, while adding 202 strikeouts in 170.1 innings, just 62 walks and a 2.22 ERA.

Tatsuya Imai, one of the most coveted free-agent pitchers on the market, wants to help a team dethrone the two-time defending World Series champions.

The White Sox are adding a powerful bat to the offense, with the biggest free agent signing the team has had in a long time.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto will play for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, per Yahoo! Japan.

Penn State baseball, led by head coach Mike Gambino, signed Japanese pitcher Genei Sato on Monday. Sato, a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher, is expected to enroll in Penn State classes this summer and will join the Nittany Lions in fall 2026 to compete in the 2027 spring season.