As expected, the Padres have indeed signed relief pitcher Kazuhisa Makita, who had spent his entire pro career to date as a member of the Japan Pacific League’s Saitama Seibu Lions. The soft-tossing right-hander got a two-year deal worth four million dollars.
The 33-year-old was lights out for the Lions in 2016 and ‘17, his first two seasons coming strictly out of the bullpen. Makita spent his first five seasons primarily as a starter, with his ERA growing each and every year until he was converted to his relief role; since then he’s posted good-looking finishes of 1.