Former D-backs RHP Yoshihisa Hirano signs 1-year deal with Mariners
Jan 30, 2020, 3:58 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano throws to first base to put out Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado to end the sixth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Former Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Yoshihisa Hirano will be calling Seattle home for the upcoming 2020 season.
Hirano, 35, signed a one-year Major League contract with the Mariners, the team announced on Thursday.
The right-hander’s last two seasons (2018-19) with the D-backs were also his only in MLB.
Hirano appeared in relief for Arizona a total of 137 times in that span, compiling a 9-8 record to go along with a 3.47 ERA, 120 strikeouts and a 1.215 WHIP in 119.1 innings pitched.
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Last season, the 35-year-old was tied for the team lead in wins among relievers with five.
But Hirano’s departure shouldn’t worry D-backs fans, as the club signed right-handed relievers Junior Guerra and Hector Rondon in free agency this offseason.
Rondon, 31, will be entering the eighth year of his career after five years with the Chicago Cubs (2013-17) and a two-year stint with Houston Astros (2018-19).
In that time, the right-hander has amassed a 23-20 record, 3.29 ERA, 1.173 WHIP, 418 strikeouts and 92 saves in 416 innings of work (421 appearances).
The 31-year-old has also pitched in the postseason each of the last five seasons, including the 2016 and 2019 World Series, the former of which Rondon won with the Cubs.
