5-Year Veteran Reliever Signs in Japan

After five seasons in the majors, with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Mets, 29-year-old reliever Yoan Lopez will try his hand in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan. 

Yoan López inked a deal today with the Yomiuri Giants.

All the best in Japan!pic.twitter.com/gkwRBDuhC9

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) December 23, 2022

The deal with the Yomiuri Giants is said to be worth $1.1M guaranteed for one year. The contract has another $400K in incentives.

Yomiuri bought Lopez's contract from the Mets at $600K. New York granted him his release on Thursday.

The Cuban was a top international signing for the D-Backs, and had a solid first full season in the majors in 2019, posting a 3.41 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP. But he hasn't been able to maintain that type of play, with his ERA hovering around 6.00 over the past three seasons in limited innings.

He'll get a chance now to pitch at the highest level in Japan, and hopefully re-establish himself as a promising reliever.

Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports