Hirano signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract Saturday with the Orix Buffaloes of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, the Kyodo News reports.
Hirano had a strong debut MLB campaign with the Diamondbacks in 2018, posting a 2.44 ERA. He hasn't been the same over the last two years, struggling to a 4.96 ERA. Heading into his age-37 season, it's unsurprising to see him fail to get a sufficient offer at the highest level, so he'll return to the team for which he's spent the entirety of his 11-year NPB career.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Escapes with fourth save
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Hirano allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out a batter in the ninth as he picked up his fourth save of the season Wednesday against the Astros.
Hirano surrendered a leadoff walk to Kyle Tucker but quickly got two outs before Aledmys Diaz doubled to left to bring the tying runner to the plate in Josh Reddick. Reddick singled home Tucker and Diaz, but the Astros weren't able to complete the ninth-inning comeback after Hirano struck out Jose Altuve on a high heater to end the game. The right-hander owns a 3.75 ERA and has converted all four of his save chances.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Dodges danger for save
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Hirano allowed three hits in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Padres. He struck out none.
Hirano allowed the first three batters to reach via singles, but he got Jake Cronenworth to ground into a double play before retiring Jurickson Profar on a groundout as well. Hirano has picked up all three of his saves in his last five outings. The 36-year-old has a 2.70 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and eight strikeouts across 10 innings this season.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Notches second save
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Hirano struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning to record his second save of the season during a 6-5 win over the A's in the first game of Monday's doubleheader.
Yohan Ramirez got the M's last save chance back on Sept. 7, but it was Hirano's turn in this one and he got the job done, although a two-out HBP on Mark Canha made things a little bit interesting. Hirano has a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB through nine innings, and he should remain in the high-leverage mix for Seattle as it makes a last-ditch push for a wild-card spot over the final weeks.
Hirano allowed a solo homer in the ninth inning Sunday but still earned the save against the Rangers. He struck out three batters.
In his first save chance of the season, Hirano made things interesting by allowing a solo shot to Ronald Guzman, but he still shut the door to convert the opportunity. After four scoreless appearances to start the season, the 36-year-old has allowed three runs in his last two outings. For now, he still appears to be Seattle's main man in the ninth inning.
Hirano, who's logged four relief appearances since his delayed season debut, is the likeliest candidate to see the majority of the save chances with the trade of Taylor Williams to the Padres on Monday.
The Mariners brought the veteran in this past offseason with an eye on slotting him into the ninth-inning role, but Hirano's summertime bout with COVID-19 put a crimp on those plans to start the delayed regular season. However, the right-hander ultimately made his debut Aug. 21 and has been eased back in by manager Scott Servais. The strategy seems to have worked well thus far, as Hirano has fired four scoreless innings across four appearances and worked up to a season-high 19 pitches in his most recent outing on Sunday against the Angels.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Grabs first hold
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Hirano was credited with his first hold of the season in a win over the Padres on Tuesday, firing a scoreless sixth inning during which he allowed no hits and one walk.
The veteran reliever was able to log his second appearance since being activated from the COVID-19 injured list and was just as effective as in his debut Saturday, when he'd also notched a scoreless frame to close out a blowout win over the Rangers. Manager Scott Servais is likely to eventually transition Hirano to high-leverage scenarios, but he's likely to continue to be eased in for the time being.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Works one inning in '20 debut
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Hirano, activated from the injured list Friday, fired a scoreless ninth inning in a win over the Rangers on Saturday, recording two strikeouts.
Manager Scott Servais found the perfect landing spot for Hirano's significantly delayed 2020 debut, as he brought in the veteran to put the Rangers out of their misery in the nine-run rout. Hirano overcame a COVID-19 infection earlier in the summer, and his bout with the virus caused him to miss the majority of summer camp. It remains to be seen whether the 36-year-old will eventually transition into a full-time closer role for what remains of the season, but it's worth noting Taylor Williams has been effective in the ninth-inning slot while converting all five of his save chances thus far.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Returns from injured list
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HIrano (illness) was reinstated from the injured list Friday.
Hirano missed most of summer camp due to COVID-19 but is now set to make his big-league debut. He recorded an unimpressive 4.75 ERA last season, but the Mariners are short on established relievers in the bullpen, so he may not be too far from pitching in the ninth inning once he proves he's fully healthy and effective.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Could face live hitters soon
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Hirano (illness) has been throwing at the Mariners' alternate training site in Tacoma over the past week and may face live hitters as soon as this weekend, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
The veteran reliever is getting progressively closer to making his long-awaited regular-season and team debut. Hirano could get into an intrasquad game or two this weekend in Tacoma, and if that goes smoothly, he could be set for activation early next week.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Joins alternate squad
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Hirano (illness) joined the team at the alternate training site Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
Hirano tested positive for COVID-19 during the offseason, which forced him to miss time during camp. The right-hander will need to face hitters several times at the alternate training site as he gets ready to make his season debut, but the team is reportedly hoping he'll be able to join the major-league club soon.
Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Could soon face live hitters
Rotowire
Hirano (illness) is close to being ready to face live hitters at the Mariners' alternate training site in Tacoma, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
The veteran reliever has continued throwing bullpen sessions at the spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona, as he looks to make up for time lost to a COVID-19 infection earlier in the summer. Hirano appears close to being ready for the next step, with manager Scott Servais noting the 36-year-old is "getting his arm strength up and throwing all his pitches off the mound."
Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Continues building up in Arizona
Rotowire
Hirano (illness) remains at the Mariners' spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona for the moment, where he continues throwing bullpen sessions in an effort to build up his arm, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
The veteran reliever's bout with COVID-19 earlier in the summer put him significantly behind the curve in building his arm back up, so Hirano is in the midst of playing catch-up at the moment. The 36-year-old, who's thought to be in line for save opportunities whenever he does make it to the big-league roster, will transition to the Mariners' alternate training site in Tacoma when he's ready to face live hitters.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Slated for bullpen Thursday
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Hirano (illness) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session at the Mariners' spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona on Thursday, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.
Hirano remains without a firm timetable for his 2020 debut, but manager Scott Servais noted the veteran is "another guy we desperately need." The 36-year-old had signed a one-year, $1.6 million deal with the Mariners in January and was thought of as a leading candidate for the closer's job until testing positive for COVID-19 on June 25. Hirano did manage to gain clearance in time to participate in the last few days of summer camp, and he'll eventually work up to pitching in intrasquad games at the team's alternate training site in Tacoma before activation is considered.
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Mariners' Yoshihisa Hirano: Arrives at summer training
Rotowire
Hirano (illness) cleared MLB's COVID-19 protocols and reported to the team facility Saturday, The Japan Times reports.
The veteran reliever was absent from most of summer training after testing positive for coronavirus, but he produced two negative tests and was able to participate in workouts Saturday. Hirano apparently dealt with a high fever and was unable to train during the early stages of his quarantine, so he'll likely require some time to ramp up before being game-ready. The 36-year-old was in the mix to operate as Seattle's closer, but Matt Magill is likely to begin the season in that role.
