For Roberts, there already warrants a likeness to fellow Japanese native Hideo Nomo. “I don’t want to make comparisons too much, but it’s kind of like Hideo,” Roberts said. “I think it ...

2001 — Hideo Nomo became the fourth pitcher in major-league ... 2006 — Seattle Mariners rookie Kenji Johjima, the first catcher from Japan to start a major league game, hits a home run for ...