Right-handed pitcher Kohei Arihara (31) returns to the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Japan’s Kyodo News and other local media reported on the 10th that Arihara had signed a three-year contract with NPB Softbank Hawks for a total of 1.2 billion yen (11.3 billion won). He has number 17 on his back. Arihara said, “It is an honor to be given the opportunity to play for a club that aims to be the best in the world. I will do my best to contribute to the championship.”

Arihara achieved his dream of advancing to the American Major League (MLB) by signing a contract with the Texas Rangers in December 2020 for a two-year, total of $6.25 million (7.7 billion won). However, he suffered from minor injuries, including his shoulder, and could not digest many matches. After 2 wins (4 losses) in his first season, he recorded only 1 win (3 losses) last year. His MLB career record is 3-7 with an earned run average of 7.57 in 15 games. 안전놀이터

After the contract with Texas was terminated, attention was focused on his future career by choosing to return to NPB. As a result, he was offered a multi-year contract by Softbank, which needed reinforcing the mound, and completed his contract. Ariaha went 60-50 with a 3.74 ERA while playing for the Nippon Ham Fighters for six years before entering the MLB. He has been a key resource for Nippon Ham to the extent that he has been in charge of starting the opening game in 2017 and 2020.