The Yomiuri Giants decided yesterday to release right-hander Cuban Yoan López. The hurler who arrived last season to the Nippon Professional Baseball League did not have his best season on the mound compiling a 0-1 mark and 4.05 ERA in eight games with the Nippon squad.
This is unpleasant news for the pitcher who wanted to try his luck in a league that is some cases is very difficult for foreigners to adapt to. López was sent down to the minors due to his lack of control and command during various stages of the season in 2023.
Los @TokyoGiants dejan al derecho Yoan López libre, el serpentinero antillano tuvo una efectividad de 4.05 en 8 apariciones con el equipo la campaña pasada.#pelotacubana #NPB pic.twitter.com/3GD3f317CT
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) November 27, 2023
Many expected a good season for the flamethrower after being a high-profile signing, but he was never able to have a consistent outing during 2023. Lopez, 29, signed with the Yomiuri Giants in the Japan Professional League for a guaranteed contract worth $1.1M plus incentives.
The Mets sold the native of the Isle of Youth’s contract for $600K. The last Cuban pitcher who saw action with Yomiuri was fellow pitcher and ex-teammate in Cuba Hector Mendoza in 2016, who also did not perform well with the Tokyo squad over his career.
In 2022 pitched for the New York Mets, in eight games with the team from Gotham he posted a 1-0 record and a 5.73 earned run average. During his five MLB seasons with the Diamondbacks and Mets he went 3-8, had an ERA of 4.39, saved one game and struck out 92 over 112 ⅔ innings.