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Diabierna 29 Januari 2021

Tanaka leaves Yankees, rejoins former team to pitch in Japan

(AP) — Masahiro Tanaka the New York Yankees, and 3.74 ERA and 991 strikeouts reactors in the northern Pa- in stadiums with a limited
is returning to pitch for play in front of all you pas- in 1,054 1/3 innings. He was cific coast area of Japan where number of fans attending.
his former team in Japan sionate fans. it has been an an All-Star in 2014 and 2019 the Eagles are based. That
after seven seasons with honor and a privilege! Thank despite pitching with a par- date is sure to add to the dra- Japan, with a population of
the New York Yankees. you so much!!” tially torn ulnar collateral ma around Tanaka’s return to 126 million, has attributed
ligament in his elbow. Japan. just over 5,000 deaths to CO-
The Rakuten Eagles of the Tanaka went 3-3 with a 3.56 VID-19. Cases have been
Pacific League said Thursday ERA in 10 starts last year dur- The Yankees often chose Spring training starts next surging recently, particularly
the 32-year-old free agent ing the pandemic-shortened Tanaka to start in big games week for Japanese clubs, in urban areas like Tokyo and
had signed a two-year con- season. and he went 5-4 with a 3.33 which have been able to play Osaka.
tract. Local media reported ERA in 10 starts during the
the deal was worth almost $9 “Disappointing news,” Yan- playoffs.
million annually. kees second baseman DJ
LaMahieu said during a con- New York hasn’t won the
“WELCOME HOME our ference call to announce his World Series since 2009 and
HERO!!!!” the Eagles posted new contract with New York. lost in the AL Division Se-
on Twitter. “What a great teammate he's ries to Tampa Bay last season.
been and what impact he's Gerrit Cole leads a rotation
The Yankees in the past had on the Yankees, on the this year that includes Tail-
week added two-time Cy city. Obviously wish him lon, Kluber, Deivi García and
Young Award winner Corey well, and we’ll be following left-hander Jordan Mont-
Kluber and traded for Pitts- them. I’m disappointed I’m gomery.
burgh pitcher Jameson Tail- not going to be able to play
lon. New York appeared to with him any more, but I’m Luis Severino should be
have no room for Tanaka in really happy for him.” ready to return at some point
its 2021 rotation and didn’t this season from Tommy
appear to be trying to re-sign The right-hander pitched for John surgery last Feb. 27 and
the two-time All-Star. Rakuten from 2007-13, go- Domingo Germán is expect-
ing 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA in ed back from a domestic vio-
“I have decided to return to his final season and leading lence suspension that caused
Japan and play for the Ra- the Eagles to the Japan Series him to miss last season.
kuten Eagles for the 2021 title.
season,” Tanaka wrote on Tanaka was 99-35 with a 2.30
Twitter. “I wanted to make Tanaka then signed a $155 ERA in Japan, where he had
sure and touch base with you, million, seven-year contract 53 complete games in 172
and thank you for all the love with the Yankees ahead of the starts.
and support you have given 2014 season and quickly be-
me for the past 7 seasons.” came a steadying, consistent March 11 marks the 10th an-
“I feel extremely fortunate presence in their rotation. niversary of an earthquake,
for having the opportunity to tsunami and the resulting
take the field as a member of Tanaka went 78-46 with a meltdown of three nuclear