Report: Rangers in agreement with Japanese pitcher Kohei Arihara

Nippon Ham Fighters starter Kohei Arihara pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of their preseason exhibition baseball game. (Toru Takahashi/AP)

The Texas Rangers have reached an agreement with Japanese right-hander Kohei Arihara, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that it is a two-year deal in the $6-7 million range. The Rangers will have to pay a posting fee to the Fighters.

Arihara has spent his professional career with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and had 30 days to sign with an MLB team after being posted on Nov. 26.

The 28-year-old had a 3.46 ERA in 20 games for the Fighters in 2020 recording 106 strikeouts in over 132 innings. The Padres and Red Sox were reportedly the finalists to sign Arihara.

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