Japanese relief ace Kazuhisa Makita to join Ohtani on posting market
Shohei Ohtani isn't going to be Major League Baseball's only Japanese rookie next season.
Following Friday's ratification of a new posting system with Nippon Professional Baseball, veteran Japanese reliever Kazuhisa Makita of the Saitama Seibu Lions will be posted on or before Dec. 31 of this year in order to join the major leagues next season, MLB announced, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Two-way sensation Ohtani will be officially posted later Friday.
Like Ohtani, Makita will be subject to the old posting rules and not the renewed MLB-NPB agreement that will take effect next offseason.
It's not known how much the Lions may be asking for Makita in posting fees from MLB teams.
Related: New posting system between MLB, NPB to take effect next offseason
The 33-year-old is a seven-year veteran of NPB, and has spent his entire career to date in Seibu. After beginning his career as a starter, Makita transitioned into relief in 2015, where his unique submarine delivery turned him into the Lions' bullpen ace.
In 2017, Makita posted a 2.30 ERA, 1.021 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts while walking only five batters (0.7 BB/9) and allowing just four home runs in 62 2/3 innings. He earned his second straight NPB All-Star Series berth and helped Seibu reach the postseason. He also served as Japan's closer in this year's World Baseball Classic, saving a pair of games with a 3.00 ERA in five appearances for the tournament semifinalists.
Makita owns a career record of 53-49 with a 2.83 ERA, 1.173 WHIP, and 514 strikeouts in 276 appearances (110 starts) over his seven years in the NPB.