TBNL: Ayami Sato debuts, Rich Hill signs

Women’s pro baseball players — even those in international tournaments — have never received the same attention as their men’s counterparts. It’s likely that many outside of Japan have never heard of Ayami Sato. The 35-year-old right-handed pitcher is among the best female players the sport has ever seen.

Sato’s debut with the national team came at age 20 during the 2010 Women’s Baseball World Cup (WBWC). Sato went 3-0 with a 0.53 ERA in the tournament, helping Japan win the gold medal.

Sato — and Japan’s — dominance continued over the next four WBWC tournaments.

Japan would win five consecutive gold medals. Sato would be named MVP of the tournament three straight times (2014, 2016, and 2018). No player has ever been so decorated in their international career.

Sato has also pitched in the now-defunct Japan Women’s Baseball League (JWBL) from 2013-19.

She continues to make history.

Sato just became the first woman to play professionally in Canada, signing with the Intercounty Baseball League’s Toronto Maple Leafs.

Her debut appearance came on Sunday. Sato worked two scoreless innings with a strikeout before giving way to the bullpen. The Leafs ultimately lost, 6-5.

Dick Mountain rides again

Rich Hill pitches on.

The 45-year-old left-hander has reportedly agreed to a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. Per an announcement from the team, he’ll report to their spring training complex in Surprise, AZ before joining Triple-A Omaha.

Kansas City will be Hill’s 14th organization.

Hill may not ultimately provide much to the Royals — he only threw 3.2 IP last season over four appearances with the Red Sox — but the simple possibility of his return to the major leagues is exciting ….. for anyone in my age bracket, as Hill would be the oldest player in the league if he’s able to return to the majors.

Hill is already the last player born before me to be active in the majors, so for selfish reasons, I hope he somehow pitches forever.

Elsewhere, around the sport …

• Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz will miss the team’s series in Toronto due to a passport issue.

• The Blue Jays’ pitching depth took a significant hit on Tuesday, with right-hander Jake Bloss set to undergo surgery on his elbow. As MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson notes, doctors aren’t sure if he will need a full Tommy John surgery or simply an internal brace procedure. The extent of the procedure will determine how long Bloss will remain sidelined.

• Yankees third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera left Monday’s game via an ambulance after a gruesome collapse at the plate trying to avoid a tag. The team placed him on the IL with a fractured ankle. He’ll likely miss a significant amount of time.