One of the top draft picks in 2002, weilding a sizzling 92mph fastball, he was dropped from consideration by the Yokohama Bay Stars and blacklisted by other professional Japanese teams when the gay video surfaced in the press.

The Indians plan to invite the athlete to spring training to assess his abilities, and earlier this week held a press conference for Tadano where he apologized for his appearance in the video, citing financial problems as his reason for performing as an adult entertainer.

Grady Sizemore, Tadano’s teammate and roommate stated, "I don't think it changed anybody's opinion of him. After it was said and done, nobody thought anything more of it. He's a great guy and a great pitcher."

Asked whether he would suffer heckling from baseball fans, Tadano said, "I don't understand English, so it doesn't really matter."