Seattle Mariners Re-sign Hisashi Iwakuma

Earlier this month, it looked like Hisashi Iwakuma would be joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. But, after the deal fell through, the right handed pitcher is returning to Seattle.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto delivered the news at the team’s holiday party, sparking wild applause. Kuma, as Iwakuma is known in Seattle, has pitched his entire career in the majors with the club, going 47-25 with a 3.17 ERA in 111 games.

Earlier in December, Iwakuma and the Dodgers reportedly worked out a three-year contract. The deal was never signed, however; a source told ESPN’s Mark Saxon  that doubts surfaced when the Dodgers reviewed the pitcher’s physical.

“We said from the start that Kuma was a priority for us,” Dipoto said in a statement. “Obviously, the developments from the last few days allowed us to get back in the game. It’s a credit to our ownership — to Howard Lincoln, to Kevin Mather, to our entire ownership group — that we were able to get aggressive and find a way to bring Kuma back to the Mariners. We’re all thrilled. This is a big move for us.”

Photo:  Starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma #18 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Safeco Field on July 28, 2015 in Seattle, Washington.  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images).

Article by Joe Kozlowski