Yuki Matsui inks $28 million, 5-year contract with Padres

Yuki Matsui has agreed terms with the San Diego Padres for a new $28 million, 5-year contract, it was announced.

.@Padres announce they have signed LHP Yuki Matsui to a 5-year deal.

He had 39 saves with a 1.57 ERA and 11.3 K/9 last season as closer for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan. pic.twitter.com/6qubG55J1r

— MLB (@MLB) December 23, 2023

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The Japanese will be tied to the franchise until 2028 and will continue to be their reliever, much to their delight.

Matsui has a 2.40 career ERA, 236 saves and a 1.11 WHIP in Nippon Professional Baseball. He also became the youngest pitcher in the Japanese major leagues to reach 200 saves.

“He’s got a great track record in Japan really dating back to amateur days, somebody that was a highly acclaimed amateur player and then for him to do what he did really right out of the gate, that’s something that is very unique,” Padres general manager A.J.Preller said. “It’s been a 10-year run of just consistent performance and excellence.”