The Arizona Diamondbacks added to their bullpen Friday by announcing the signing of Japanese right-handed reliever Yoshihisa Hirano.
The two-year contract will reportedly pay Hirano $6 million, according to Nick Piecoro of AZ Central.
The 33-year-old has spent his entire 11-year career with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball before coming to North America. He posted a 2.67 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts across 57 1/3 innings last season.
Scouts familiar with Hirano, who'll be 34 in March, say he sits 90-94 mph with a plus split, good command, deception and experience pitching late in games. Strikeouts are down over the past two years, however.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) December 22, 2017
Arizona's front office has been relatively quiet this winter, but it has added to the bullpen. Following the loss of closer Fernando Rodney, the club traded for Brad Boxberger, and selected Albert Suarez in the Rule 5 Draft.
