TOKYO (TR) – Japanese star pitcher Yu Darvish will be posted to the Major Leagues on Thursday. The right-hander made the announcement through an update on his blog.
The ace compiled an 18-7 record and a 1.44 ERA and a 276/36 K/BB ratio over 232 innings this past season with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball’s Pacific League.
“I have decided to use the posting system,” wrote the lanky right-hander on Thursday afternoon, Japan time, on his blog. “I wanted to make this announcement to the fans first. I also would like to send my thanks to the Fighters.”
Expected to draw substantial interest from MLB teams, Darvish, 25, is represented by Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group as well as Don Nomura, who confirmed the move on his Twitter account, saying that Darvish will enter the system on Thursday.
The posting system allows teams from MLB to submit bids on NPB players put up for auction by their clubs. The winning MLB team then has a 30-day window in which to negotiate a contract with the Japanese player.
“The process is underway now, and I cannot provide details,” Darvish added. “But I will hold a press conference once everything is determined.”
