A few days after finalizing their initial list of spring training invitees, the Phillies added another in Koyo Aoyagi, a 31-year-old Japanese right-hander and three-time NPB All-Star.
A 5-foot-11 sidearmer, Aoyagi owns a 3.08 career ERA in Japan and was a member of his country's 2020 Olympic gold medal team, though 2024 was regarded as a down year.
Aoyagi was posted by his team on Dec. 4 and MLB clubs had until Friday to sign him. To this point, the Phillies have never signed a player directly out of Japan. Friday also saw the much higher-profile signing of pitcher Roki Sasaki with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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The Phillies will bring Aoyagi to Clearwater, where he'll battle for potentially the only open spot on their pitching staff. Barring injury, the Phillies' five-man rotation is set with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez and Jesus Luzardo. The eight-man bullpen appears to have seven locks in Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, Jose Alvarado, Jose Ruiz, Tanner Banks and Joe Ross.
The Phillies also acquired minor-league outfielder Dylan Campbell from the Dodgers in exchange for international bonus pool space.
The 22-year-old right-handed hitter was the Dodgers' fourth-round pick in 2023 out of the University of Texas. Campbell hit .251/.331/.372 last season at High-A with 10 homers and 42 stolen bases.