Kohei

Arihara

Arihara flirted with the idea of a potential return to the majors earlier this offseason. However, that speculation seems in retrospect linked to generating additional leverage during negotiations for a lucrative multi-year deal to remain in Japan. At 33 years old, it seems highly unlikely that he’ll return to the majors at some point down the road. He made 15 appearances (14 starts) for the Rangers from 2021-2022, finishing with a lackluster 7.57 ERA across 60 2/3 innings of work.

The 33-year-old hurler pitched in 15 games with the Rangers during the 2021-2022 seasons, posting a 7.57 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and a 38/24 K/BB ratio across 60 2/3 innings. He then returned to Japan prior to the 2023 season. In 2025, Arihara went 14-9 with a 3.03 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 121/41 K/BB ratio over 175 innings in 26 starts. He’s set to hit free agency from the Softbank Hawks on December 2.

Arihara signed a two-year, $6.2 million contract with the Rangers prior to the 2021 campaign and wound up compiling a cringe-inducing 7.57 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 38/24 K/BB ratio across 60 2/3 innings (15 appearances, 14 starts) over the last two seasons. The 30-year-old righty is headed back to Japan where he spent the first six seasons of his professional career.

Ariahara was designated for assignment on Sunday and passed through waivers unclaimed because he’s pulling in a salary of $3.6 million this year. He has allowed 51 earned runs in 60 2/3 career MLB innings.

Arihara was waived following his blowup outing against the Blue Jays, giving up 11 runs over three innings of work. Right-hander Tyson Miller will take his place on the active roster.

Woof. The 29-year-old hurler struggled right out of the gate in this one, giving up a two-run double to Alejandro Kirk and a two-run single to Santiago Espinal in the opening inning. After navigating a scoreless second, the Jays piled on five more runs in the third. Arihara then returned for the fourth inning, where he served up a two-run homer to Danny Jansen before mercifully exiting the game. He now holds a cringe-inducing 9.45 ERA and 2.35 WHIP over 20 innings with the Rangers this season. He’s lined up to start against the Rays in Tampa Bay on Friday, but it remains to be seen if he’ll stick around long enough to make that start.

Arihara served up eight hits, including a two-run homer to Jeimer Candelario in the second inning, and wasn’t able to complete four innings in this one. He’s lined up to face the Red Sox on Saturday in his next start.

It’s the first time in 12 major league starts that Arihara has completed six innings. The 29-year-old righty had a 4.88 ERA in Triple-A before being called up last week, so it doesn’t seem likely that he’ll be a big rotation asset over the rest of the year. Still, he’s gotten the job done in two starts to date.

It’s official. Arihara will take the ball for the Rangers on Tuesday evening against the Athletics for his first start in the majors since last September. The 30-year-old righty has compiled a 4.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 63/18 K/BB ratio across 72 innings (18 appearances, 14 starts) this season for Triple-A Round Rock.

It will be the first start in the big leagues for Arihara since last September, as the 30-year-old has spent all of this year at Triple-A Round Rock. Arihara has been underwhelming on the whole at Round Rock but has pitched well there in two starts this month.