SAN DIEGO – In a major move bolstering their bullpen, the San Diego Padres announced the signing of celebrated left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui to a five-year contract. This announcement was made today by the Padres’ President of Baseball Operations & General Manager, A.J. Preller, marking a significant addition to the team’s pitching roster.
Yuki Matsui, a prodigious talent in baseball, began his professional career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) at the tender age of 18. Over his illustrious 10-season career with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Matsui has become a dominant force in Japanese baseball. His record of 236 saves in 501 career appearances is a testament to his enduring skill and consistency on the mound. Notably, Matsui etched his name in the record books as the youngest player ever to reach the 200-save milestone.
A five-time All-Star, Matsui boasts an impressive 2.40 career ERA (176 ER in 659.2 IP), coupled with a 1.11 WHIP (295 BB, 436 H). His remarkable strikeout record stands at 860 (11.7 SO/9.0 IP), underscoring his effectiveness in high-pressure situations. Matsui’s prowess was particularly evident as he led the Pacific League in saves thrice during his tenure (2019, 2022, 2023).
The 28-year-old’s performance in the 2023 season was nothing short of spectacular. Matsui achieved a career-best 1.57 ERA (10 ER in 57.1 IP), recording 39 saves with a 0.89 WHIP and 72 strikeouts across 59 games for the Golden Eagles. His consistency is further highlighted by maintaining an ERA under 2.00 in each of his last three seasons. During this period, he amassed 95 saves with a cumulative 1.42 ERA (24 ER in 152.0 IP).
Matsui’s prowess on the international stage is equally impressive. He was a key contributor to Team Japan’s Gold Medal victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. His journey to international acclaim can be traced back to 2012, where he set a National Summer High School Championship record with a staggering 22 strikeouts in a single game, breaking Yoshinora Toda’s 49-year-old record (21 strikeouts).
His popularity peaked in the 2013 NPB draft, where five out of twelve teams selected him as their first overall pick before the lottery ultimately granted his rights to the Golden Eagles. Matsui’s national representation includes appearances in the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup, 2015 exhibition games against Europe, the 2015 WBSC Premier12, 2017 World Baseball Classic, 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series, and the 2019 WBSC Premier12.
With Matsui’s arrival, the Padres have significantly strengthened their bullpen, adding a player with a proven track record of excellence both in NPB and international competitions. His signing is seen as a strategic move by the Padres, aiming to enhance their pitching depth and bring a new level of competitiveness to the team as they gear up for the upcoming season.
