Yasiel Puig to play in MLB All-Star Series in Japan in November

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is one of four major league players thus far committed to play against Japan's national team in an exhibition series in Japan, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association announced on Thursday.

Puig will join fellow All-Stars Albert Pujols of the Angels, Robinson Cano of the Mariners and Adam Jones of the Orioles in a five-game series against "Samurai Japan," the name of Japan's national team, plus two exhibition games beginning Nov. 11.

The MLB team, which will be filled at a later date, will be managed by Rangers manager Ron Washington.

This is the first MLB "All-Star Series" in Japan since 2006, when Rafael Furcal was the lone Dodgers representative. Future major leaguers playing for Japan in that 2006 series included Yu Darvish, Norichika Aoki, Tsuyoshi Wada, Kei Igawa and Munenori Kawasaki.

The All-Star Series will take place in five different stadiums over a 10-day period:

• Nov. 11: Exhibition vs. Hanshin Tigers / Yomiyuri Giants at Koshien Stadium in Osaka
• Nov. 12: Game 1 at Kyocera Dome in Osaka
• Nov. 14: Game 2 at Tokyo Dome
• Nov. 15: Game 3 at Tokyo Dome
• Nov. 16: Game 4 at Tokyo Dome
• Nov. 18: Game 5 at Sapporo Dome
• Nov. 20: Exhibition vs. Team Japan at Okinawa Cellular Stadium