BASEBALL:

The Seibu Lions will begin the posting process for LHP Yusei Kikuchi on Dec. 3 so that he can negotiate with teams in Major League Baseball. The posting period begins Dec. 5, and Kikuchi will have 30 days to sign a contract with a major league team. Kikuchi, 27, has a 73-46 career record with a 2.77 ERA in Nippon Professional Baseball.