For all intents and purposes, Kazuhisa Makita’s chapter with the San Diego Padres – at least in the majors – closed after the Japan submariner posted a 5.40 ERA in an up-and-down (literally) 2018.
His stay in the States is now over, too.
The 35-year-old right-hander is returning to native Japan via a deal with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, the team has announced.
Makita did not appear in the majors in 2019 – at least he did not make an in-game appearance.
He was, however, called up in June as bullpen coverage without getting an opportunity to translate his minor league success to the majors and immediately returned to the minors.