Former Mariners: Yoshihisa Hirano goes back home to Japan

Former Seattle Mariners reliever, Yoshihisa Hirano, signed a one year deal with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball league. Hirano was born in Uji, Japan, and will return to the only team he played for in Japan.

It is a nice homecoming story for the veteran reliever who spent over 11 seasons with Orix. He and the team agreed to a one year $1.4 million contract. Hirano is the second Japanese baseball player to return to Japan from the MLB. Masahiro Tanaka also returned to the team where he built his career up.

Yoshihisa Hirano with the Mariners

Hirano came over to the MLB pretty late in his career. After a very successful career in Japan, he joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018 and posted a 2.98 ERA in 66.1 innings.

After his two-year contract for $6 million ended with the Diamondbacks, the Mariners signed him to a one-year $1.6 million deal. There was a bit of excitement when the Mariners signed him, and the hope was that he would be the closer.

It took a little time for him to pitch for the Mariners. Yoshihisa Hirano battled injuries and COVID-19 at the beginning of the 2020 season, so he didn’t make his debut until August 22nd.

Hirano had four great outings to finish off August, but when September came around, he got knocked around. The veteran gave up eight earned runs in September which brought his ERA up to 5.84. Although, Hirano did save four games for the Mariners.

Unfortunately, Hirano will probably become another forgotten Mariners player. The soon to be 37-year-old gave the Mariners some moments to cheer about during the crazy 2020 season. And sometimes, that is all you can ask from our shaky bullpen.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Hirano was a great influence on the young pitching staff. I am sure his veteran presence was very valuable, even if we don’t hear about it on the news.

We at Sodo Mojo wish Yoshihisa Hirano good luck this season in Japan and hope he will enjoy his return home, and to the team that loved him for so long.