Milwaukee Brewers' 40-Man Roster Member Seeking Move to Japan Ahead of ST

Janson Junk, who is currently on the 40-man roster for the Milwaukee Brewers, is reportedly looking to head to Japan with just three weeks left before spring training.

With just three weeks left before spring training, the Milwaukee Brewers appear set to lose a member of their 40-man roster.

Per the Yakyu Cosmopolitan on social media:

RHP Janson Junk is seeking a contract with NPB teams, including the SoftBank Hawks, according to his agent. 

Junk, 28, is currently on the Milwaukee Brewers 40-man roster.

RHP Janson Junk is seeking a contract with NPB teams, including the SoftBank Hawks, according to his agent.

Junk, 28, is currently on the Milwaukee Brewers 40-man roster. pic.twitter.com/vHOovVnYCo

— Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) January 21, 2024

Junk has made nine lifetime appearances across three Major League seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and the Brewers. He is 1-3 with a 4.78 ERA in those limited appearances, which include seven starts.

His desire to go to Japan is understandable. If he's able to secure a spot in the NPB, he's much more likely to have a guaranteed role, and he's likely to get a much bigger payday.

Furthermore, because he's just 28, there's always a chance that he could return to the United States in the future. Recently, we've seen Chris Flexen and Erik Fedde return from stints in Korea to find great opportunity back in MLB. Flexen had a solid two-year run with the Seattle Mariners and is now with the Chicago White Sox while Fedde is also with Chicago.

As for the Brewers, the loss of Junk may not be monumental, but it would continue an offseason of turmoil. The team saw manager Craig Counsell move on to the Chicago Cubs and non-tendered rotation stalwart Brandon Woodruff after a season-ending injury.

The Brewers won the National League Central a season ago but were beaten in the National League Division Series by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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