Roki Sasaki, the hottest international free agent pitcher in Japanese baseball, announced on social media on Friday that he is heading to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 23-year-old right-hander said he signed a minor league contract. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"I have signed a small contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers," he said in an Instagram post translated from Japanese to English. "This was a very difficult decision, but when I look back on my baseball career, I'm going to do my best to make this the right decision. I want to wear a Dodgers uniform in Opening Day and thank you all People who have supported me so far.”

Sasaki is the latest Japanese star to join Major League Baseball. Reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season after six years with the Los Angeles Angels dollar contract. The team also added pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year contract worth $325 million in 2023. Both were instrumental in Los Angeles winning the 2024 World Series.

Sasaki's long-awaited signing comes after an offseason filled with suspense, during which teams including the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants... Courting the young pitcher. During his first meeting with the team, Sasaki asked that no players be present, sparking much speculation about where he would land.

By Monday, Sasaki had narrowed the finalists to the Blue Jays, Dodgers and Padres. Many view the Dodgers as the long-term favorite due to his experience playing with Ohtani and Yamamoto on the Japanese national team and the team's star-studded roster. The Padres are also considered a major contender, as Sasaki will reunite with his one-time mentor, accomplished Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.

Although Sasaki signed a draw, his contract was not as blockbuster as others like Ohtani were signed due to MLB rules. International players under the age of 25 are considered amateurs and can only sign minor league contracts with additional bonuses.

Sasaki, who plays for the Chiba Rakuten Marines of the Japan Professional Baseball League, has a career ERA of 2.10, a total of 505 strikeouts, and a record of 29 wins and 15 losses. In 2022, he had a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes, the NPB's first perfect game in nearly 30 years. His outstanding performance earned him the nickname "Monster of the Reiwa Era," referring to Japan's current political era. Still, Sasaki said he still has more to learn in the MLB.

"Roki is by no means a finished product," Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, told Sports Illustrated of his move to the U.S. "He knows it and the team knows it. He Very talented. We all know that. But he's a guy who wants to be great. He's not just here to get rich or get a big contract. He wants to be great. One of the greatest players ever.”