"Nomo was originally signed by the Dodgers on February 13, 1995, thanks to a loophole in the Japanese Uniform Players Contract that allowed him to voluntarily retire and play for whomever he desired after returning to active status. Nomo had spent the previous five seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Kintetsu Buffaloes before getting into a contract dispute with team management, which led to pursuing a Major League career. Nomo signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers that included a $2 million bonus."
"This day in Dodgers history saw Nomo return to the franchise as he signed a two-year, $13.75 million contract in free agency on December 20, 2001. After the trade and prior to returning, Nomo pitched for the Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox. He was fresh off leading the American League with 220 strikeouts during the 2001 season."
Hideo Nomo became the first Japanese-born player in Major League Baseball when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 13, 1995, using a loophole in the Japanese Uniform Players Contract. He left the Kintetsu Buffaloes after five seasons and a contract dispute, signed a Minor League deal with a $2 million bonus, debuted May 2, 1995, and won NL Rookie of the Year. Nomo later pitched for the Mets, Brewers, Tigers and Red Sox before returning to the Dodgers on December 20, 2001, with a two-year, $13.75 million deal after leading the AL with 220 strikeouts in 2001. Across his second Dodgers stint he went 36-30 with a 4.05 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 85 starts, finishing his Dodgers career 81-66 with a 3.74 ERA. Also in Dodgers history, Fred McGriff signed a one-year contract in 2002 and hit .249/.322/.428 that season.
Read at Dodger Blue
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