ARLINGTON -- The Rangers on Saturday added a potential candidate to their starting rotation, signing Japanese right-handed pitcher Kohei Arihara to a two-year contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Art Warren was designated for assignment. “The addition of Kohei Arihara strengthens the depth in our starting rotation,”
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers on Saturday added a potential candidate to their starting rotation, signing Japanese right-handed pitcher Kohei Arihara to a two-year contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Art Warren was designated for assignment.
“The addition of Kohei Arihara strengthens the depth in our starting rotation,” said Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels in a statement. “He has had success in Japan over the last six years with a breakout season in 2019, and we believe there is more to come. The fact that he threw more than 130 innings in 2020 is a real plus, considering the reduced workloads of our returning starters due to the 60-game season.
“Our pitching coaches are looking forward to working with Kohei as he prepares for the upcoming season. We’d like to recognize and thank the Fighters for the great work they’ve done developing Kohei on and off the field.”
Arihara, whose 30-day posting window was set to expire on Saturday, will earn $2.6 million in 2021 and $3.6 million in '22, and the posting fee was $1.24 million.
Arihara, 28, spent the past six seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters and was 8-9 with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 20 games and 132 2/3 innings. He averaged 7.2 strikeouts, 2.0 walks and 8.5 hits per nine innings.
"I am extremely grateful for the Rangers who gave me an opportunity to play in Major League Baseball," Arihara said in a statement. "I will continue to work hard in order for me to grow and succeed in this city. To lead into this, I will make sure to have a good offseason so that I can head into Spring Training in top condition. I am truly excited to be able to pitch in front of the Rangers fans at Globe Life Field, and I hope that you will all support me in my journey."
Arihara's best season was in 2019, when he made 24 starts and was 15-8 with a 2.46 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He averaged 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Arihara averages in the low 90s with his fastball and also throws a changeup and a slider. He is not considered as overpowering as other Japanese pitchers who have made the jump to the United States.
• All the latest Hot Stove rumors
But he is still expected to be a part of a rotation that already includes Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles. The other candidates include left-handers Wes Benjamin and Kolby Allard, and right-hander Dane Dunning.
Kyle Cody is another candidate for the rotation. But Arihara’s signing would be a significant step toward allowing him to get badly needed development time in the Minor Leagues after pitching just 27 2/3 innings over the past three seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
T.R. Sullivan has covered the Rangers since 1989, and for MLB.com since 2006. Follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger and listen to his podcast.
December 26, 2020 at 06:06AM
https://ift.tt/2WHH5Om
Arihara inks 2-year deal with Rangers - MLB.com
https://ift.tt/3d5QSDO
No comments:
Post a Comment