MLB Rumors: Rangers Pitcher Heading Back To Japan

He elected free agency on Sunday.

Kohei Arihara, a standout pitcher in his home country of Japan, made the jump to the MLB prior to the 2021 season, signing with the Texas Rangers on a two-year, $6.2 million deal.

Arihara wasn't able to translate his success in his home country over to the MLB, however, as he registered a brutal 7.57 ERA and 1.73 WHIP over 60.2 innings across two seasons with the Rangers.

The thirty-year-old was sent outright to the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate in September and was in line for a standard minor-league salary in 2023, before opting out. 

However, given his lack of success in the MLB, no team will likely give Arihara anything more than a minor league contract this offseason. Therefore, it's more than likely that we see him head back to Japan to continue his career.

Photo Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports