Ryota Igarashi: Former Nippon Pro Baseball Pitching Star & Mets Pitcher (2010 - 2011)

Ryota Igarashi was born on May 28th, 1979, in Chiba Japan. The five-foot eleven right hander began his pro career in Nippon Pro Baseball where he was once known as the league's fastest Pitcher.

In 2000 he was named All Star Central League pitcher going 11-4 with a 3.11 ERA. By 2004 he was a four time All Star & won the Fireman of the Year Award, becoming one of Japan's best closers.

In 2005 Igarashi was injured, eventually losing his closer job to Hirotoshi Ishii & became Ishii's set up man. In 2007 Igarashi needed Tommy John & was sidelined until late 2008. By his return the veteran was now thirty years old & expressed interest in going to the Major Leagues.

Mets Career: In December 2009 Igarashi signed a contract with the New York Mets becoming the 11th Japanese born player in team history. 

On April 8th, 2010, Igarashi made his MLB debut at Citi Field relieving Jonathan Neise in a 3-1 loss to the Florida Marlins.

He was used mostly in late relief, making seven April appearances including finishing up a 5-3 loss the Cardinals. 

On April 20th, he was credited with a hold in a 4-0 combined shut out with Mike Pelfrey (seven innings) & Fernando Nieve (0.1 innings) & Frankie Rodriguez (one inning) at Wrigley Field. The next day he was placed on the disabled list with a hamstring issue missing a month of action.

In late May after a horrendous six run outing in Dan Diego, Igarashi was sent down to the minors to sharpen his skills. He was 1-0 at A ball St. Lucie then got promoted to the AAA Buffalo Bisons where he was 2-1 with five saves in 15 appearances in two stints with the club.

On May 23rd he was back with the Mets pitching the 9th inning of a 6-4 subway series win at Citi Field. It wasn't easy as he was roughed up for three runs taking no decision. Later that week he gave up a walk off game winning HR to the Brewers Corey Hart in Milwaukee. 

First Victory: On October 2nd, although he faced & retired just one batter he collected his first MLB win, in a 7-2 victory over the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. In the 7th inning he struck out Justin Maxwell with the bases loaded.

That year in 34 appearances Igarashi was 1-1 with a 7.12 ERA, finishing up 11 games for Jerry Manuel's 4th place Mets (79-83).

2011: Igarashi started out the year blowing a save on April 11th, allowing a 6th inning two run
double, on runners that were charged to Mike Pelfrey. 

On April 26th, he earned win in middle relief against the Nationals in D.C. On May 6th he retired one batter in relief of Jonathan Niese in a 3-2 game earning the victory over the Dodgers in L.A.

On May 16th he gave up three singles in the top of the 11th inning to the Marlins taking a loss.

By the end of May he was 2-1 but his ERA was 4.24 & he was sent back down to AAA Buffalo where went 0-1 with four saves. 

Igarashi returned two months later in July. He collected a pair of wins in September pitching seven consecutive innings in his last six appearances. 

In 45 games he was 4-1 with a 4.66 ERA, striking out 42 batters with 28 walks & allowing 20 earned runs in 38 innings pitched with nine games finished. He was released at the end of the year. 

Post Mets Career: For 2012 Igarashi signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates but was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays at the end of Spring Training. He began the year at AAA Las Vegas & was later placed on waivers.

He was selected by the AL New York club, where he appeared in two games, allowing four runs in four innings. At the end of the season he was granted minor league free agency.

Back to Japan: In 2013 he was back in Nippon Professional Baseball pitching for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. In 2019 he re-joined the Tokyo Yakult Swallows until his retirement in 2020.

In three MLB seasons, he was 5-2 with a 6.41 ERA, getting 72 strike outs with 51 walks in 83 games played.

Family: Ryota & his wife Orie have two children.