Prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki said in an Instagram post Friday that he has signed with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

A 23-year-old right-hander whose fastball tops 100 mph, Sasaki will join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a move many baseball executives have long expected.

The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays were said to be the other finalists still in pursuit of Sasaki, who has until next Thursday to finalize a contract.

“I have signed a minor contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers,” Sasaki’s post said, in Japanese. “It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best I can feel this was a correct decision, once I look back on my life as a baseball player. At my news conference for joining the club, I hope to wear my Dodgers uniform, feeling gratitude for all those who have supported me.”

Athletics unveil Sacramento, Rickey Henderson patches >> The A’s announced that they will wear two jersey patches for the 2025 season: one to represent Sacramento and another to honor the late Rickey Henderson.

Fans attending the Athletics’ first game at Sutter Health Field will receive a Rickey Henderson rally towel, as well as a trucker hat featuring the Sacramento patch.

Additionally, the team announced that it signed right-hander José Leclerc to a one-year deal. According to multiple reports, the deal is for $10 million. Leclerc owns a career 3.27 ERA over eight major league seasons, helping the Texas Rangers win a World Series championship in 2023.

— Justice delos Santos

Soccer

PayPal to host Mexican rivals >> The San Jose Earthquakes announced that PayPal Park will host a friendly between Liga MX rivals Atlas FC and Chivas de Guadalajara on March 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Clásico Tapatío, the name of the rivalry between Atlas and C.D. Guadalajara, started in 1916, making the rivalry the oldest in Mexican soccer history. This match will mark the first time the two clubs have met at PayPal Park since Nov. 2015 when Atlas defeated Chivas, 1-0, in front of a sellout crowd. Alejandro Zarate, a second-half substitute, delivered the match’s lone goal.

— Justice delos Santos

Women’s basketball

Cal blown out by Duke >> No. 18 Cal scored a season-low 38 points and was blown out by No. 16 Duke 72-38 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Blue Devils’ star freshman Toby Fournier scored 23 points and totaled 11 rebounds off the bench. As for the Golden Bears, only two players — graduate guard Kayla Williams (eight points) and graduate center Ugonne Onyiah (six points) — totaled more than five points. Guards Ioanna Krimili and Lulu Twidale, Cal’s two leading scorers, totaled just two and three points, respectively, both representing season lows.

Cal will look to bounce back on Sunday when it plays Wake Forest on the road.

— Justice delos Santos

Staley receives record contract >> Coach Dawn Staley received a contract extension that South Carolina said will make her the highest paid college women’s basketball coach of all time at a total value of about $25 million.

Staley is signed through the 2029-30 season, earning $4 million a year to start with an annual $250,000 escalator. There’s also a $500,000 signing bonus, the school announced.

“Dawn Staley is a once-in-a-generation coach who has made a tremendous impact on the University of South Carolina,” athletics director Jeremiah Donati said in a statement. “She has elevated the sport of women’s basketball on the national level and here on campus and I am excited that she will be representing our university for many years to come.”

College football

Two Spartans invited to All-Star Bowl Games >> San Jose State wide receiver Nick Nash and defensive lineman Soane Toia have been invited to a pair of exhibitions to finish their collegiate careers.

Nash has been invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas while Toia has been invited to the Trillion Tropical Bowl on Jan. 19 in Orlando, Florida.

Nash led the country in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns en route to becoming the fourth player to earn the FBS receiving triple crown, but was snubbed for the Biletnikoff Award.

Toia was named to the All-Mountain West First Team in his final year with the Spartans.

— Justice delos Santos