Mariners add bullpen stability by signing former Diamondbacks reliever Yoshihisa Hirano
The Seattle Mariners added some experience to their bullpen Thursday, signing former Diamondbacks reliever Yoshihisa Hirano to a one-year major league deal.
Hirano, a 35-year-old right-hander, spent the past two seasons with Arizona, posting a 9-8 record and 3.47 ERA with 120 strikeouts and 45 walks across 137 relief appearances.
He initially signed with the Diamondbacks late in 2017, and made his MLB debut the following March. He pitched 11 professional seasons in Japan prior to signing his first big league contract, and logged a 3.10 career ERA with the Orix Buffaloes as both a starter and reliever in 549 games.
“We’re glad to have Yoshi on board,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a release. “We believe his combination of experience and bat-missing ability brings needed stability to our bullpen.”
By the end of the 2019 season, the Mariners had used an astonishing 36 pitchers in relief, and by August had a completely different look to their bullpen than they had during their season-opening trip to Japan.
Seattle’s bullpen posted a collective 4.77 ERA, which was the ninth-worst in the majors and fourth-worst in the American League.
To make room for Hirano on the 40-man roster — which remains full — the Mariners designated left-hander Ricardo Sanchez for assignment. The 22-year-old spent last season with Double-A Arkansas posting a 8-12 record and 4.75 ERA in 27 starts.
This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 12:33 PM.
