Yasuhiko Yabuta
| Yasuhiko Yabuta 薮田 安彦 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Free agent | |||
| Pitcher | |||
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Born: June 19, 1973 Kishiwada, Osaka, Japan | |||
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| Professional debut | |||
| NPB: 1996, for the Chiba Lotte Marines | |||
| MLB: April 5, 2008, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 3–4 | ||
| Earned run average | 7.14 | ||
| Strikeouts | 34 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  Japan
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| Men's Baseball | ||
| World Baseball Classic | ||
.svg.png){kind=icon} | 2006 San Diego | Team |
Yasuhiko Yabuta (薮田 安彦 Yabuta Yasuhiko, born June 19, 1973 in Kishiwada, Osaka) is a Japanese baseball pitcher. He currently plays for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He competed in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and struck out Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Derrek Lee.
Yabuta made his professional debut with the Marines in 1996, and spent 12 years with the organization. He served as a setup man for the Marines in 2007 recording a 4–6 record with a 2.73 ERA in 58 games. After the season, he declared his free agency and came to America to pursue a Major League Baseball career. On November 22, 2007, the Kansas City Star reported that the Kansas City Royals agreed with Yabuta on a two-year contract with a club option for 2010.[1]
Yabuta officially signed with the Royals on November 28, 2007. He signed a two-year, $6,000,000 deal with the Kansas City Royals. The deal included a $4m club option for a third year. Yabuta was sent down to Triple-A Omaha Royals on June 25, 2008. He was designated for assignment on August 2 and was eventually sent outright to the minors. He was brought back to the Royals when the rosters expanded on September 1.
His teammates on the Royals have given him the nickname "Shake."[2]
On November 24, 2009, he signed a one-year deal with his old team Chiba Lotte, and he has remained with the team since.[3]
References
- ↑ Dutton, Bob. "Royals 'move on' after Hunter signs with Angels", November 22, 2007. Accessed November 23, 2007.
- ↑ Optometrist 2 for 2 at Fenway Accessed May 23, 2008.
- ↑ Yabuta returning to old club Lotte Accessed November 23, 2009.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or The Baseball Cube
- (Japanese) Yasuhiko Yabuta Official Web Site
- Japanese league stats and info of Yasuhiko Yabuta