Masahiro Tanaka signed a two-year contract to return home to Japan and pitch for the Rakuten Eagles.

Fantasy Impact

It's unknown exactly how much interest Tanaka received in free agency. Perhaps he simply wanted to return home given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless, this ends a successful major league run for Tanaka. The 32-year-old finishes his career with a 3.74 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and a 78-46 lifetime record. He also pitched some big games for the Yankees in some of their recent playoff runs.

Reports indicate that Masahiro Tanaka is negotiating with his former team, the Rakuten Eagles of the Nippon Professional League.

Fantasy Impact

With the Yankees acquiring Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon in recent weeks, they're attempting to patch up the holes lost from Tanaka and James Paxton. Assuming Tanaka signs in Japan, then fade him in fantasy baseball drafts.

According to Andy Martino, it sounds like there's continued speculation that Masahiro Tanaka will pitch in Japan this year. Tanaka also acknowledged that there's a possibility of that happening.

Fantasy Impact

As a free agent, Masahiro Tanaka is coming off of a decent 2020 season. He finished 2020 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with a 22.3% strikeout rate and a 4.1% walk rate in 48 innings. Throughout Tanaka's major league career, Tanaka has a 3.74 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with a 23.1% strikeout rate and a 4.8% walk rate. He provides healthy ratios with a decent K-BB%. He's a relatively safe and reliable starting pitcher for real life and fantasy squads.

Masahiro Tanaka allowed five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four over four innings in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Rays in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Fantasy Impact

Tanaka was hurt by the long ball in Wednesday's loss as he surrendered home runs to Kevin Kiermaier and Randy Arozarena. He threw a total of 76 pitchings, landing 46 for strikes. Tanaka has struggled during the 2020 postseason, recording a 12.38 ERA, 2.13 WHIP and seven strikeouts over eight innings. The Rays lead the Yankees 2-1 in the five-game series.

Masahiro Tanaka is scheduled to start Game 3 of the ALDS against the Rays.

Fantasy Impact

Tanaka was roughed up by Cleveland in his last start, yielding six runs over four innings. He will follow Gerrit Cole and Deivi Garcia in the ALDS. Tanaka owned a 3.56 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44 strikeouts over 48 innings during the regular season.