Seattle Mariners: Hisashi Iwakuma set to return to Japan

Hisashi Iwakuma is planning on ending his time with the Seattle Mariners after this season, and will look to continue his career in Japan.

A relatively anonymous signing when he first joined the Seattle Mariners in 2012, Hisashi Iwakuma has enjoyed a solid career in the majors. He made the 2013 All Star Game, finishing third in the Cy Young voting that season. From 2012 through 2016, Iwakuma was a steady pitcher, a solid middle of the rotation starter.

However, the last two seasons have not been as kind. After dealing with an injury plagued 2017 campaign, Iwakuma was never able to get going this season. He had offseason shoulder surgery, and had setback after setback in his quest to return to the majors. In all, he made only two starts, totaling three innings, allowing a run on two hits and a walk while striking out two batters.

After the disappointment of last season, Iwakuma knows that his time in the majors has come to an end. As such, he is planning on returning to Japan, hoping to play in Nippon Professional Baseball next season.

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This move certainly makes sense. Iwakuma had an excellent run in NPB from 2001 through 2011, posting a 107-69 record. Over his 1541 innings in Japan, Iwakuma had a 3.25 ERA and a 1.204 WHiP, striking out 1175 batters while issuing only 342 walks. If the 2019 campaign proves to be his last, as he will be 38 years old, it is understandable that he would want to make his swansong at home.

Iwakuma also had a solid major league career. Although he never performed at the same level he did in Japan, he was a respectable middle of the rotation arm for the Mariners. Over 150 major league games, including 136 starts, he posted a 63-39 record, with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.143 WHiP. Iwakuma struck out 714 batters in 883.2 innings, issuing only 185 walks. He was, for a time, one of the better arms in the middle of anyone’s rotation.

He also made history with the Mariners. In 2015, when his run of success was coming to a close, Iwakuma threw the fifth no hitter in Mariners history, allowing only three walks to the Orioles. Iwakuma was only the second Japanese pitcher to throw a no hitter in the majors, joining Hideo Nomo in that fraternity.

Hisashi Iwakuma is not retiring, as he is looking to continue his career in Japan. Nonetheless, his time with the Seattle Mariners is coming to an end.