Mariners sign Hisashi Iwakuma to minor-league deal

Published 1:30 am Monday, November 27, 2017

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have signed right-handed pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.

The deal announced Monday keeps Iwakuma with the only organization he has pitched for in the major leagues.

Iwakuma, 36, managed just six starts last season. Shoulder problems landing him on the disabled list in May and he didn’t pitch the rest of the season. He was 0-2 with a 4.35 ERA in his limited outings. Iwakuma underwent right shoulder debridement surgery on Sept. 27 and is expected to start throwing in late February or early March.

Iwakuma has spent six seasons with the Mariners and has a career mark of 63-39 with a 3.42 ERA during his time in Seattle.