The New York Yankees have lost their second starting pitcher to free agency this offseason while the Texas Rangers have lost a longtime clubhouse manager.
Hiroki Kuroda, who has spent seven years in the MLB and his last three with the Yankees, is returning to Japan to pitch for his former team, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. It was speculated heading into this offseason that the 39-year-old would either retire or return to Japan to finish his career. Kuroda is now the second starting pitcher, joining Brandon McCarthy, to leave the Yankees via free agency.
The right-hander owns a 79-79 record with a 3.45 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 212 games (211 starts) since signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2008. His (slightly) better years came with the Yankees, during which he compiled a 38-33 record with a 3.44 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. He was also 2-2 in five postseason starts with a 3.94 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with both clubs.
He'll now return to the Carp, where he spent his first 11 seasons from 1997 to 2007. His one-year contract is reportedly worth $3.3 million.
In Texas, the Rangers have lost their longtime clubhouse manager, Joe Macko, who passed away on Friday morning. The 86-year-old spent 54 years working in professional baseball and was the Rangers' clubhouse manager from 1973 to 1994 and from 1995 to 2001 before he retired.
"The Rangers organization is deeply saddened by today's passing of Joe Macko. Joe was a loyal and dedicated member of this franchise for more than four decades as the team's business manager, home and visiting clubhouse manager, and goodwill ambassador. Joe made hundreds of players feel at home in the home and visiting clubhouses at old Arlington Stadium and the current Globe Life Park in Arlington," the team said in a statement.
Macko also spent 18 years in the minors and slashed .272/.327/.466 with 306 home runs and 782 RBIs. He also compiled an 11-7 record with a 3.70 ERA in four seasons as a pitcher (37 games, 15 starts).
