Padres sign LHP Yuki Matsui to 5-year, $28 million deal

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd December, 20:25 2023

Jul 28, 2020; San Francisco, California, USA; A logo for black lives matter on the pitcher s mound before the game between the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres at Oracle Park. credits: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres signed left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui to a five-year contract on Saturday.

According to reports, the five-time All-Star in Japan received a deal worth $28 million.

Matsui, 28, went 25-46 with 236 saves in 501 career appearances (17 starts) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He had a 2.40 ERA and 860 strikeouts in 659 2/3 innings in 10 seasons.

Last season, the 5-foot-8 Matsui had a career-high 39 saves, a 1.57 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 59 appearances. He also pitched for Gold Medal-winning Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Matsui figures to be a late-inning reliever for the Padres, who aren't trying to re-sign free-agent left-handed closer Josh Hader. Meanwhile, right-handers Luis Garcia (Los Angeles Angels) and Nick Martinez (Cincinnati Reds) have departed as free agents.

San Diego also traded right-hander Scott Barlow to the Cleveland Guardians and is losing left-hander Tim Hill as a free agent.

—Field Level Media