A familiar name to fans of the Texas Rangers may soon be back in Major League Baseball. Kohei Arihara, the right-hander who last pitched in MLB for the Rangers in 2022, is reportedly eyeing a return after spending the last three seasons back in Japan, and his resurgence could shake up offseason trade and free-agent chatter.
Arihara originally jumped to the Rangers from Japan’s professional leagues in 2021 but struggled during his two seasons in Texas. In 2021, he posted a 6.64 ERA, and in 2022 that number rose to 9.45. Health issues played a role in those struggles, including the discovery of a shoulder aneurysm, and by the end of his two-year, $6.2 million contract, he had failed to meet expectations.
After returning to Japan and signing with the SoftBank Hawks, Arihara rediscovered his form. During his three seasons there, he logged a sub-3.00 ERA overall, a marked improvement from his big-league performances. At 33 years old, with consecutive seasons of over 175 innings and consistent results, he may attract attention from MLB teams seeking rotation depth or high-upside, low-risk options. Reports indicate Arihara is considering a return to MLB this winter, which could offer a team a cost-effective veteran arm capable of contributing immediately while providing innings and experience.
For the Rangers, the news serves as a reminder of the challenges in translating international success to MLB performance. His resurgence overseas could draw interest from other clubs willing to take a second-chance gamble. If Arihara returns, he is unlikely to serve as a front-line ace initially, but his durability and recent success suggest he could comfortably fill a mid-rotation or innings-eating role, providing value to teams looking for affordable pitching depth. Analysts note that given the right coaching and support, he could replicate at least a fraction of his Japanese league form against MLB hitters, which would still be a significant upgrade for many clubs.
A successful comeback could also encourage more international players to follow a similar path, leaving MLB after initial struggles, refining their skills elsewhere, and returning better prepared. This trend could expand the pool of experienced, veteran pitchers available to teams without requiring massive contracts. For Arihara, the road back will require proving himself in either a minor-league deal or a low-cost MLB contract, but his recent performance and healthy arm suggest he is well-positioned for a second chance. Whether he returns to Texas or signs elsewhere, his potential MLB comeback is among the more intriguing offseason stories, showing that with patience, time, and a change of environment, a pitcher can rediscover their form and make an impact at the highest level.
