The Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball signed Howard to a contract Tuesday, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be the second straight year in Japan for Howard, who pitched for the Rakuten Eagles in 2025, posting a 2.22 ERA and 36:11 K:BB over 48.2 frames during an injury-shortened campaign. The 29-year-old holds a career 7.00 ERA over 47 appearances (32 starts) across parts of five major-league seasons.

Howard signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional League in Japan on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Howard appeared in nine major-league regular-season games between the Guardians and Giants in 2024, posting a 6.21 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 29 innings. He didn't fare much better with Triple-A Sacramento with a 6.57 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 61.2 frames, so a fresh start in Japan may help the 28-year-old right-hander regain some form.

The Giants signed Howard to a minor-league contract Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Howard began the season with the Giants before being designated for assignment and then traded to the Guardians in July. Cleveland dropped him from its 40-man roster shortly after that, and he's now returned to the Giants organization and been assigned to Triple-A Sacramento. Howard holds a 6.21 ERA and 27:14 K:BB in 29 big-league innings covering three starts and six relief appearances in 2024.

Howard elected free agency Monday after he was outrighted off the Guardians' 40-man roster.

EDGE Analysis

After being acquired from the Giants on July 5, Howard made two appearances (one start) for Cleveland before he was pushed off the 40-man roster July 21. Between his stops with San Francisco and Cleveland, Howard turned in a 6.21 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 29 innings, and his numbers with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento (5.90 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 57:17 K:BB in 39.2 innings) weren't especially inspiring, either. As such, Howard will most likely have to settle for a minor-league deal in free agency.

The Guardians designated Howard for assignment Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

After being acquired from the Giants earlier this month, Howard stepped into the rotation for his Guardians debut July 11, but he lasted just three innings and gave up four earned runs in a loss against the Tigers. The Guardians turned to him in relief for his next appearance in Saturday's 7-0 loss to the Padres and he once again struggled, surrendering four runs (one earned) on four hits -- including two home runs -- in two innings. After the pair of poor outings, the Guardians will move on from Howard and replace him on the 26-man active roster with righty Peter Strzelecki, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus ahead of Sunday's series finale with San Diego.

Howard (1-2) took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over three innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

New team, similar result for Howard, who required 75 pitches to get through three frames. Howard, who was acquired from San Francisco last Friday, was making his debut for the Guardians after posting a 5.62 ERA and 1.83 WHIP through 24 innings over seven appearances (two starts) with the Giants. Following Thursday's outing, his ERA has risen to 6.33 while his WHIP is at an even 2.00. Howard replaced Logan Allen, who was sent down to Triple-A, in the Guardians' rotation, but with the All-Star break looming, there's no word yet on how the Guardians will fill out their rotation once the second half of the season gets underway.

Howard is listed as the Guardians' scheduled starter for Thursday's game against the Tigers in Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

For what will be his Guardians debut, Howard will step into the rotation spot vacated by Logan Allen, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. Prior to being acquired from the Giants last Friday, Howard had accrued a 5.63 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB across 24 innings in seven appearances (two starts) at the big-league level.

The Guardians acquired Howard from the Giants on Friday in exchange for cash considerations.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander had been designated for assignment by the Giants after holding a 5.63 ERA over seven appearances -- including two starts -- in 2024. Howard does not have any minor-league options left, so he will go directly onto the Guardians' roster, presumably working in a long-relief role.

The Giants designated Howard for assignment Sunday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander surrendered six runs over 2.2 innings Saturday against the Dodgers and has now lost his place on the Giants' 26-man active roster and 40-man roster. Howard has struggled to a 5.63 ERA and 21:11 K:BB over 24 frames in the big leagues this season.

Howard allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout over 2.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Howard followed opener Erik Miller, though the Giants had the former enter the game in the second inning instead of waiting until the middle of the contest as they had in his previous two outings. Howard's had mixed results at best, with Saturday being his worst appearance of the campaign. He's at a 5.63 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB through 24 innings across seven outings (two starts). With Kyle Harrison (ankle) likely back next week and Blake Snell (groin) returning around mid-July, Howard's running out of time to make a positive impression. His chance of remaining a de facto member of the rotation will get slimmer if Hayden Birdsong turns in a strong performance in Atlanta on Tuesday.