Following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and the ensuing Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster , special rules were implemented for the 2011 NPB season : Most Japanese teams have a six-man starting rotation ( as opposed to MLB teams , which feature five-man rotations ) . Although each team roster has 28 players , similar to other professional sports , there is a 25 player limit for each game . Managers scratch three players before each game , typically including the most recent starting pitchers , similar to professional basketball ( two scratches )
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Nippon Professional Baseball