"Drafted 28th overall in the 2014 draft by the Kansas City Royals, the left-handed pitcher made his big league debut with the team in 2020, but pitched just an inning and two-thirds that season. After four and one-third innings pitched with the Royals in 2022, Griffin was traded to the Blue Jays in exchange for Jonatan Bernal. While Bernal remains in the Royals' organization, Griffin elected free agency after the 2022 season and signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball that off-season."
"He strung together three solid seasons, including his 2025 when he had a 1.62 ERA and 1.78 FIP in 78 innings pitched. As is the case for many Americans who find success overseas, things changed for Griffin. Namely, he now throws seven pitches, a four-seam fastball, slider, cutter, changeup, knuckle curve, splitter, and sinker, sitting around 90 mph with his fastballs."
"There are a handful of other players who'll come over from NPB this off-season. The most notable of which is starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai, as well as corner infielders Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami. It's worth noting that Murakami has to sign by Dec. 22. The Jays have been linked to both Murakami and Okamoto, although their main interest appears to be in Kyle Tucker, according to most insiders."
Foster Griffin signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Washington Nationals. He was drafted 28th overall in 2014 by the Kansas City Royals and made his MLB debut in 2020, logging limited innings. Griffin was traded to the Blue Jays following the 2022 season and then elected free agency, signing with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball. Griffin produced three solid seasons in Japan, posting a 1.62 ERA and 1.78 FIP in 78 innings in 2025. His repertoire expanded to seven pitches, with fastballs sitting around 90 mph. Other NPB players expected to return include Tatsuya Imai, Kazuma Okamoto, and Munetaka Murakami, with Murakami facing a Dec. 22 signing deadline.
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