NY Yankee Hiroki Kuroda Set to Return to Japan, Sources Reported

By Cheri Cheng - 27 Dec '14 10:06AM

New York Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda has decided to return to Japan, sources confirmed to MLB insider, Jon Heyman with CBSSports.com. A Hiroshima newspaper was the first to report on the story.

"I want to return to Japan to play while I still have the ability to play on the major-league level," Kuroka had said previously, reported by The Japan News.

Kuroda played in the United States for seven years. His first four years were with the LA Dodgers and his remaining three were with the Yankees. While with the Yankees, Kuroda had a year-to-year contract. Kuroda wanted a short-term commitment that would allow him to return to Japan when he wanted.

Kuroda finished the 2014 season with a 3.71 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 146 strikeouts in 199 innings. When asked about his future, Kuroda replied, according to Eric Boland of Newsday, "Right now, I'm relieved that I don't have to think about the next outing. To think about next year is something I cannot do right now."

He added, "Right now, there are so many possibilities. In that sense, I have to sort of look at my options."

Kuroda has decided to return to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball League next year. Kuroda played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp from 1997 to 2007.

The 39-year-old right-hander has a MLB career record of 79-79 with a 3.45 ERA, 986 strikeouts, and 292 walks over 1,319 innings.