Former Rangers right-hander Kohei Arihara will continue his career in NPB, signing a four-year deal worth approximately $15.4MM with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. After becoming a free agent following three seasons with the SoftBank Hawks, Arihara decided against returning to MLB, where he struggled with injuries, including a serious shoulder issue. His strong performance in NPB, highlighted by a 2.36 ERA in 2024, likely influenced his decision to stay in Japan. The contract’s average annual value is significant by NPB standards, suggesting he received interest during negotiations.
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Kohei Arihara Signs with Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
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