(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
By Anthony Payero
(NEW YORK) On Thursday, Masahiro Tanaka, who was a free agent after the end of the 2020 MLB season, announced his decision to join the Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan, according to ESPN.
Masahiro Tanaka left the Rakuten Golden Eagles at the end of the Nippon Professional Baseball season in 2013. He would go on to sign a seven-year deal with the New York Yankees and made his mark in Major League Baseball. After failed talks with the Yankees in an effort to rejoin the team, he ultimately decided to return to his home country.
"I have decided to return to Japan and play for the Rakuten Eagles for the 2021 season," Tanaka wrote on Twitter. "I wanted to make sure and touch base with you, and thank you for all the love and support you have given me for the past 7 seasons."
"I feel extremely fortunate for having the opportunity to take the field as a member of the New York Yankees, and play in front of all you passionate fans. it has been an honor and a privilege! Thank you so much!!"
Tanaka, 32, completed his deal with the Yankees in a shortened season due to the coronavirus. Not only that, but he also missed time in the 60-game season due to taking a line drive to the head from teammate Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice. The pitcher joined New York on a seven-year deal worth $155 million.
Tanaka made the All-Star team twice from 2014-2020. He finishes his MLB run with a 78-46 record, through 173 starts.
Last season he finished with a 3-3 record and a 3.56 ERA (earned run average) — after making 10 starts, an improvement from his 4.45 ERA in 2019.
The Yankees' staff discovered a partially torn ligament in Tanaka's pitching elbow during the 2014 season. The team tried to manage the situation by giving him extra time off between his starts.
Tanaka served the team well in the playoffs, finishing his Bronx tenure with a 5-4 postseason record, with a 4.18 ERA. He recorded 44 strikeouts and 15 walks in 10 starts, according to ESPN. His best postseason performance came in 2017, as he finished with a 2-1 record and a low 0.90 ERA with 18 strikeouts. His three walks through 20 innings were impressive against the Cleveland Indians in the division series and also against the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.
His best regular-season numbers came in 2016, as he recorded 14 wins and four losses. His lowest ERA came in the first season with the Yankees, at 2.77 with a 13-5 record.
Before coming to America, Tanaka held a 99-35 record with a 2.30 ERA in seven years with Rakuten.
The Yankees shared a public farewell to Tanaka on their Twitter account.