Former Nippon Pro Baseball Pitching Star & Mets Pitcher: Ryota Igarahi (2010-2011)

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Ryota Igarashi was born on May 28th 1979 in Chiba Japan. The five foot eleven right hander began his pro career in Nippon Pro Baseball where he was once known as the league's fastest Pitcher.

In 2000 he was named All Star Central League pitcher going 11-4 with a 3.11 ERA. By 2004 he was a four time All Star & won the Fireman of the Year Award, becoming one of Japans best closers.

He was injured in 2005 & then lost his closer job to Hirotoshi Ishii. He became his set up man there but needed Tommy John surgery in 2007. By his return the veteran was now thirty years old & expressed interest in going to the Major Leagues.


In December 2009 he signed a contract with the New York Mets. Igarashi made his MLB debut at Citi Field on April 8th, 2010 relieving Jonathan Neise in a game against the Florida Marlins.

He was used in late middle relief collecting a hold on April 20th. He was sent down to shapen his skills for a month in the minors. After just one five games going 1-0 at A ball St. Lucie he was promoted to the AAA Buffalo Bisons where he was 2-1 with five saves in 15 games.

He returned on May 23rd pitching the 9th inning of a subway series game at Citi Field. Although he was roughed up for three runs the Mets still held on to win it 6-4. Later that week he gave up a walk ogg game winning HR to Corey Hart in Milwaukee. He earned his first win late in the season on October 2ns in a 7-2 win against the Washington Nationals. In 34 appearances he was 1-1 with 11 games finished posting a 7.12 record.

In 2011 he started out the year blowing a save on April 11th, when he allwed a 6th inning double scoring two runs that were charged to Mike Pelfrey. At the end of April he earned a middle relief win against the Nationals & then earned his second win a week later against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

By the end of May he was 2-1 but his ERA was 4.24 and he was sent back down to the minors. He returned two months later & finished out his year with the Mets. In 45 games he was 4-1 with a 4.66 ERA, striking out 42 batters with 28 walks & allowing 20 earned runs in 38 innings pitched.

He was released at the end of the year. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates but was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays at the end of Spring Training 2012. He began the year at AAA Las Vegas & was placed on waivers.

He was selected by the AL New York club, where he pitched two games, allowing four runs in four innings. He was granted free agency in October 2012.

In three MLB seasons, he was 5-2 with a 6.41 ERA, getting 72 strike outs with 51 walks in 83 games played.

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