The Texas Rangers will wrap up the 2021 MLB season without right-hander Kohei Arihara after the team decided to designate the 29-year-old Japanese for assignment late last week. The move comes less than a year after the Rangers signed Arihara to a two-year, $6.2 million deal from the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

The Rangers confirmed the move on social media through their Executive Vice President of Communications John Blake. As part of the announcement, the organization also revealed that they have reinstated pitcher Mike Foltynewicz from the COVID-19 list and added him to the active roster instead of Arihara.

This might not be the end of Arihara’s time in Texas, however. If he isn’t claimed by another team until the end of the week, the Rangers can send him to the minors and re-evaluate their commitment to him in the offseason.

After impressing in Nippon Professional Baseball, Kohei Arihara received strong interest from several MLB teams in 2020. He was pursued by the San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox but chose the Rangers, who made him their biggest offseason acquisition ahead of the 2021 MLB campaign.

Arihara had a hot start in MLB, posting a 2-1 record with 2.21 ERA and 13 strikeouts in his first four games for the Rangers. After struggling in the next three starts, he was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his right shoulder and underwent surgery in May.

Arihara returned to pitching in early September but failed to impress in his three games since then. He especially underperformed in a loss against the Houston Astros on September 15th, when he allowed six earned runs and two homers in four innings.

The post Rangers Designate RHP Kohei Arihara for Assignment appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Texas Rangers announced over the weekend that they’ve signed Japanese pitcher Kohei Arihara. The 28-year-old player joins from NPB’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and has inked a two-year deal to play in the MLB.

Hokkaido made Arihara available to MLB teams last month, giving the player 30 days to get a deal done. Several teams reportedly had an interest in the right-hander, including the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox, but the Rangers ended up making the best offer.

Reportedly, Arihara will earn between $6 million and $7 million in the next two years.

“I will continue to work hard in order for me to grow and succeed in this city,” said Arihara after the deal was made official. “To lead into this, I will make sure to have a good offseason so that I can head into spring training in top condition.”

Kohei Arihara made his NPB debut in 2015 and went on to win the Pacific League Rookie of the Year award. He has a career 60–50 record with 3.74 ERA and 626 strikeouts.

Arihara was especially productive last year when he had a 15 -8 record in 24 starts while posting a 2.46 ERA and 106 strikeouts.

“The addition of Kohei Arihara strengthens the depth in our starting rotation,” said Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels. “He has had success in Japan over the last six years with a breakout season in 2019.”

Arihara is expected to be the Rangers’ third pitcher in the rotation next season, with Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles slotted in front of him.

The post Rangers Sign Japanese RHP Kohei Arihara to a 2-Year Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Texas Rangers will wrap up the 2021 MLB season without right-hander Kohei Arihara after the team decided to designate the 29-year-old Japanese for assignment late last week. The move comes less than a year after the Rangers signed Arihara to a two-year, $6.2 million deal from the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

The Rangers confirmed the move on social media through their Executive Vice President of Communications John Blake. As part of the announcement, the organization also revealed that they have reinstated pitcher Mike Foltynewicz from the COVID-19 list and added him to the active roster instead of Arihara.

This might not be the end of Arihara’s time in Texas, however. If he isn’t claimed by another team until the end of the week, the Rangers can send him to the minors and re-evaluate their commitment to him in the offseason.

After impressing in Nippon Professional Baseball, Kohei Arihara received strong interest from several MLB teams in 2020. He was pursued by the San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox but chose the Rangers, who made him their biggest offseason acquisition ahead of the 2021 MLB campaign.

Arihara had a hot start in MLB, posting a 2-1 record with 2.21 ERA and 13 strikeouts in his first four games for the Rangers. After struggling in the next three starts, he was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his right shoulder and underwent surgery in May.

Arihara returned to pitching in early September but failed to impress in his three games since then. He especially underperformed in a loss against the Houston Astros on September 15th, when he allowed six earned runs and two homers in four innings.

The post Rangers Designate RHP Kohei Arihara for Assignment appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Texas Rangers announced over the weekend that they’ve signed Japanese pitcher Kohei Arihara. The 28-year-old player joins from NPB’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and has inked a two-year deal to play in the MLB.

Hokkaido made Arihara available to MLB teams last month, giving the player 30 days to get a deal done. Several teams reportedly had an interest in the right-hander, including the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox, but the Rangers ended up making the best offer.

Reportedly, Arihara will earn between $6 million and $7 million in the next two years.

“I will continue to work hard in order for me to grow and succeed in this city,” said Arihara after the deal was made official. “To lead into this, I will make sure to have a good offseason so that I can head into spring training in top condition.”

Kohei Arihara made his NPB debut in 2015 and went on to win the Pacific League Rookie of the Year award. He has a career 60–50 record with 3.74 ERA and 626 strikeouts.

Arihara was especially productive last year when he had a 15 -8 record in 24 starts while posting a 2.46 ERA and 106 strikeouts.

“The addition of Kohei Arihara strengthens the depth in our starting rotation,” said Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels. “He has had success in Japan over the last six years with a breakout season in 2019.”

Arihara is expected to be the Rangers’ third pitcher in the rotation next season, with Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles slotted in front of him.

The post Rangers Sign Japanese RHP Kohei Arihara to a 2-Year Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.