Yomiuri Giants starter Hirokazu Sawamura, with a 2.03 ERA in 2011, is the runaway winner of the 2011 Central League Rookie of the Year Award. He is the fourth straight Yomiuri winner, following Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Tetsuya Matsumoto and Hisayoshi Chono. Seibu Lions closer Kazuhisa Makita takes home the 2011 Pacific League Rookie of the Year Award, while long-hyped Yuki Saito gets just 3 of 214 votes and places fourth.

The Cubs sign free agent OF David DeJesus to a two-year contract.

The Angels acquire C Chris Iannetta from the Rockies for P Tyler Chatwood. The Rockies then sign Ramon Hernandez to be their new catcher.