Hisashi Iwakuma
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have signed free-agent Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma to a one-year contract.
The team announced the move last Thursday.
Iwakuma has a 107–69 record in 226 career games in Japan. The right-hander was selected the 2008
Pacific League Most Valuable Player and winner of the Eiji Sawamura pitching award after going 21–4 with a 1.87 ERA.
Last season, Iwakuma went 6-7 with a 2.42 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 17 starts. He missed part of the season with a sore right shoulder.
Last offseason, the Oakland Athletics bid $19.1 million under the posting system to win negotiating rights to Iwakuma. The sides were unable to reach an agreement during the 30-day negotiating period and Iwakuma returned to his Japanese team. (end)