33-year-old Kohei Arihara aims to return to the Major Leagues; U.S. media report that health issues have been overcome.

Kohei Arihara, ace pitcher of the NPB’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, chose to become a free agent after the season. Recently, there have been reports of his intention to pursue his dream by returning to MLB. The well-known U.S. baseball news website MLB Trade Rumors revealed related updates on December 1 local time.

Four years ago, Kohei Arihara left MLB after undergoing right shoulder surgery. In 2023, he joined the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, signing a three-year contract that included a clause allowing him to become a free agent once the contract expired.

MLB Trade Rumors stated that Arihara has officially entered the free agent market, emphasizing: "The 33-year-old Kohei Arihara has overcome the health issues that previously hindered his MLB career, pitching over 175 innings for two consecutive seasons in NPB, demonstrating his competitiveness to return to the Major Leagues."

Arihara joined MLB’s Texas Rangers from the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters through the posting system during the 2020 offseason. However, due to right shoulder surgery in 2021, he only stayed in MLB for two seasons, achieving three wins. In his three seasons back in NPB, he reached double-digit wins each year, with 14 wins in both of the last two seasons.

Arihara’s free agency has impacted the SoftBank Hawks’ plans to strengthen their starting rotation. Japanese media previously reported that the Hawks signed "Dragon Son" Xu Ruoxi for a large sum as a measure to prepare for Arihara’s possible departure.

In fact, after Arihara filed for free agency, besides potentially challenging MLB again, the Yomiuri Giants of NPB have also shown interest in his status.