NPB Pitcher to Opt Out of Contract; Become MLB Free Agent

According to Sankei Sports, Kodai Senga is opting out of his contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and will become a free agent. This is notable, as this opt-out means that he is a UFA and does not have to go through the MLB-NPB posting system.

Senga inked a five-year extension with the Hawks this past winter, but it's clear that he has had a change of heart on that front. The righty said that he wanted to test the MLB free-agent market this summer, and now that is officially set to occur.

Senga is definitely a pitcher who will receive interest from MLB teams. He is coming off of an excellent season with the Hawks that saw him sport an 11-6 record and 1.94 ERA in 22 appearances. It will be intriguing to see where the 29-year-old ends up from here, but don't be surprised to see a sweepstakes form for his services.