Kohei Arihara - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Becomes free agent Arihara elected free agency Sunday.

Impact A standout pitcher in his home country of Japan, Arihara made the jump to affiliated ball ahead of the 2021 season, joining the Rangers on a two-year, $6.2 million deal. The soft-tossing right-hander wasn't able to translate his success overseas to MLB, however, as he compiled a 7.57 ERA and 1.73 WHIP over 60.2 innings across two seasons with Texas. He was outrighted off the Rangers' 40-man roster in September and would have been in line for a standard minor-league salary for 2023 had he opted to remain in the organization, so the 30-year-old determined he was better off becoming a free agent. He's unlikely to command anything more than a minor-league deal if he sticks around in North America, so Arihara will most likely head back to Japan to continue his career.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Passes through waivers The Rangers outrighted Arihara to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Impact Considering Arihara is in the second season of a two-year, $6.2 million deal, it comes as no surprise that he cleared waivers after he turned in a 9.45 ERA and 2.35 WHIP across 20 innings in the big leagues prior to being designated for assignment. The 30-year-old right-hander will become a free agent this winter and may explore a return to Japan, given his lack of success in North America the past two years.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Six scoreless in win Arihara (1-1) earned the victory Sunday in Minnesota, striking out three in six shutout innings while allowing four singles and hitting a batter.

Impact Arihara cruised through the first six innings, facing just two batters over the minimum. He came back out for the seventh but allowed consecutive singles and was removed. It was the first time in his 12 career big-league starts that he finished six innings. The 29-year-old should continue in the rotation, at least until Spencer Howard (shoulder) returns. His next start will likely be at the end of next week against Detroit.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sunday's Twins-Rangers recap Rangers starter Kohei Arihara outdueled the Twins' Joe Ryan with six shutout innings.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Semien, Lowe homer; Arihara shines as Rangers beat Twins 7-0

Marcus Semien and Nathaniel Lowe homered, Kohei Arihara pitched a career-high six innings and combined with Taylor Hearn for the shutout, and the Texas Rangers beat the Minnesota T...

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kohei Arihara Set For Rangers Start Arihara is hoping to improve on his first outing of the season, which came on Tuesday against Oakland.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • SI.COM

Awarded another start Arihara will make his next start with the Rangers on Sunday in Minnesota.

Impact Arihara turned in a ho-hum debut start for the Rangers on Tuesday -- he struck out six while allowing three earned runs over 5.2 innings in a loss to Oakland -- but the coaching staff was satisfied enough with the 30-year-old's performance to hand him another turn through the rotation. He'll draw a much tougher matchup for the second leg of the two step, heading out to Target Field to face a Twins offense that ranks seventh in the majors this season with a 111 wRC+.

AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Loses in season debut Arihara (0-1) allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out six in 5.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Athletics.

Impact Arihara replaced Spencer Howard (shoulder) in the rotation, but the former couldn't take advantage of an easy matchup Tuesday. Arihara allowed one run in each of the first three innings, with Sean Murphy taking him deep for a solo shot in the third. In 10 starts with the Rangers last year, Arihara had a 6.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 2.4 HR/9. He'll need to work on command and keeping the ball down to find more success in the majors this year. Should he stick in the rotation, the 30-year-old right-hander is projected for a road start in Minnesota this weekend.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Receives call-up The Rangers selected Arihara's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

Impact As expected, Arihara joins the big-league roster to make his 2022 on Tuesday versus Oakland. The righty is fully built up as a starter and doesn't figure to be working on a pitch count against a hapless Oakland lineup.

AUGUST 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Young on Kohei Arihara Signing

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • FOX SPORTS

Clears waivers Arihara cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Impact Arihara was DFA'd on Sunday after posting a 6.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB across 10 starts with the Rangers. He didn't find any suitors on waivers, so he'll remain with Texas as minor-league depth for the time being. The right-hander signed a two-year, $6.2 million deal in the offseason, so the Rangers will certainly be looking for signs that he can turn things around heading into 2022.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd by Texas Arihara was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Sunday.

Impact Arihara inked a two-year, $6.2 million deal with Texas in the offseason but has now been jettisoned from the 40-man roster after posting a 6.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB in 10 starts (40.2 innings). It's somewhat of a surprising move given the 29-year-old is still under contract for next season, and it remains to be seen whether this means his time with the Rangers is over. Mike Foltynewicz (undisclosed) was activated from the COVID-19 IL in a corresponding move and could fill Arihara's rotation spot.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Knocked around by Astros Arihara (2-4) yielded six runs on eight hits with just one strikeout in four innings while taking the loss Wednesday against Houston.

Impact Arihara was solid -- albeit with a limited workload -- in his first two starts back from his shoulder injury, but he was overmatched Wednesday against the potent Astros. He coughed up gopher balls to Jake Meyers and Marwin Gonzalez in the second inning, then yielded three more runs in the fourth to end his night. Arihara will face another tough assignment in his next scheduled outing on the road against the Yankees.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes no-decision Wednesday Arihara allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus Arizona on Wednesday.

Impact In his second start back from a shoulder injury, Arihara was solid outside of a sloppy second inning. The right-hander was just one out away from qualifying for the win. He's given up three runs in eight innings across his last two starts, and he now has a 5.89 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 23:13 K:BB through 36.2 innings this season. Arihara seems to have a good chance to stay in the rotation going forward, and he's projected for a tough home start versus Houston next week.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Arihara scheduled to start for Texas against Arizona

The Rangers will start Kohei Arihara on Wednesday while the Diamondbacks are expected to counter with Luke Weaver

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gets another start The Rangers list Arihara as their scheduled starter for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.

Impact After being activated from the 60-day injured list Sept. 1, Arihara was immediately thrust into the Texas rotation. The 29-year-old looked good in his first outing with Texas in nearly four months, tossing 3.1 innings (47 pitches) while striking out three and allowing one run on one hit (a solo home run) and no walks. Given his light workload his last time out, Arihara likely won't be asked to cover more than 4-to-5 frames Wednesday, which will hurt his chances of factoring into any decision.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sharp in brief outing Arihara didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Rockies, allowing one run on one hit over 3.1 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Impact Making his first big-league appearance since May 8, Arihara lasted only 47 pitches (29 strikes) but he kept Colorado off balance until serving up a solo shot to Brendan Rodgers in the fourth inning. The 29-year-old likely pitched well enough to remain in the rotation, but it could be a couple more outings before he's stretched out enough to qualify for a win.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Starting in return from IL The Rangers activated Arihara (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Rockies in Texas.

Impact After securing a spot in Texas' Opening Day rotation and making seven starts, Arihara had been on the shelf since early May after he developed an aneurysm in his right shoulder that required a procedure. The surgery was initially expected to threaten Arihara's availability for the remainder of the season, but he was able to progress quicker than anticipated in his recovery. After checking out fine following a pair of two-inning rehab outings in the minors, Arihara will rejoin the Texas rotation, but expect him to serve as more of a glorified opener than a traditional starter, at least for the series finale with Colorado. Glenn Otto could be a candidate to work in bulk relief behind Arihara, who tossed only 30 pitches in his final rehab start and isn't built up enough to work deep into Wednesday's contest.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab moves to Round Rock Arihara (shoulder) was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday to continue his rehab assignment.

Impact Arihara pitched two scoreless innings with Double-A Frisco in his first rehab outing last Sunday. He'll now move to Round Rock for one more minor-league appearance, and if all goes well, he'll likely be activated to join the Texas bullpen as a long reliever.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kicks off rehab assignment Arihara (shoulder) worked two scoreless innings in his rehab start Sunday at Double-A Frisco, allowing one hit and striking out two.

Impact Arihara tossed 28 pitches (16 strikes) in his first rehab start and his first appearance at any level of affiliated ball since May 8. The Rangers plan on having Arihara making one more rehab appearance before he's reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Though he had been working as a member of the rotation prior to undergoing surgery to address a shoulder aneurysm, Arihara will likely be deployed as a multi-inning reliever upon returning from the 60-day injured list.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Completes another sim game Arihara (shoulder) tossed a 35-pitch simulated game Tuesday and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week, the Associated Press reports.

Impact Texas signed Arihara to a two-year, $6.2 million deal this winter with the expectation that he would be a mainstay in the rotation, but he made only seven starts before going on the injured list in early May with a shoulder aneurysm that required surgery. The 29-year-old initially appeared likely to be shut down for the season, but he progressed quicker than anticipated and now looks on pace to rejoin the big club by early September. According to the report, Arihara is only expected to make two rehab appearances before being reinstated from the 60-day IL, so his workloads will likely be limited if Texas brings him back in a starting role.

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Arihara update; Cotton's daughter a star ARLINGTON -- Rangers right-handed pitcher Kohei Arihara pitched in a simulated game on Wednesday, prior to the Rangers matchup with the Mari...

AUGUST 19, 2021 • MLB.COM

Throws simulated game Arihara (shoulder) threw a simulated game Saturday, Chris Halicke of SI.com reports.

Impact Arihara has been out since early May due to a shoulder injury which wound up requiring surgery. It looks as though he'll have a shot to return sometime in September, though his 6.59 ERA in his first seven major-league starts and uncertain return date make him an unappealing fantasy option in most formats.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Door open for September return Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said last week that Arihara (shoulder) could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list in September, Levi Weaver of The A...

Impact Arihara has been on the shelf since late May, when he underwent surgery to remove an aneurysm and address artery damage in his right shoulder. Since Arihara's procedure wasn't a reconstructive one, he'll have a shot to pitch again in 2021, but his availability to return will likely hinge on him steering clear of any setbacks as he moves through a throwing program. Given that Arihara isn't believed to have even resumed mound work at this stage of his recovery, he'll most likely be used as a reliever rather than a starter if he makes his way back to the Rangers.

JULY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Updated timeline Arihara (shoulder) will begin a throwing program in a few weeks.

Impact The Rangers are estimating Arihara will be sidelined a minimum of 12 weeks, but the club is hoping he can pitch before the end of the season. Arihara underwent surgery Thursday to remove an aneurysm and repair the artery in his right shoulder.

MAY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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Semien, Lowe homer; Arihara shines as Rangers beat Twins 7-0

Chris Young on Kohei Arihara Signing

Arihara scheduled to start for Texas against Arizona