Seoul: The Doosan Bears signed Japanese pitcher Ichiro Tamura as their Asian quota player for the 2026 season in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). The Bears stated that Tamura, 31, agreed to a one-year contract valued at US$200,000.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Tamura is a right-handed pitcher who has played for the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) since 2017. He was originally drafted as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 draft. Throughout his career in the NPB, Tamura has pitched 182 2/3 innings over 150 games, achieving a record of 4-2 with two saves, eight holds, and a 3.40 ERA.

In the 2025 season, Tamura recorded a 3.58 ERA over 27 2/3 innings while appearing in 16 games. He also secured seven saves as the closer for the Lions' minor league affiliate. During the Bears' end-of-season training camp in Miyazaki, Japan, he impressed the team with his fastball command during bullpen sessions and live batting practices.

The Bears envision Tamura as a high-leverage reliever, appreciating his four-pitch mix that includes a four-seam fastball, forkball, curveball, and cutter. Starting in 2026, KBO teams have the option to sign a player from an Asian country or Australia, in addition to their regular lineup of three foreign-born players.

The Bears are the sixth team among the 10 KBO clubs to fill their Asian quota. The NC Dinos, the Lotte Giants, the Kia Tigers, and the Kiwoom Heroes are still in the process of searching for their respective players.