The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan yesterday that theyre bringing back righty on a one-year deal. The Vayner Sports client first joined the Fighters on a one-year contract with a 2025 player option last winter. Jyrki Lumme Jersey While it seems he explored free agent po sibilities in lieu of the player option, he elected to return to Hokkaido all the same. VerHagen divided the 24 season between the Fighters and their minor league affiliate. He posted similarly solid numbers at both stops. The 34-year-old to sed 49 innings of 3.12 ERA ball at Japans top level and managed a 3.06 mark acro s 47 minor league frames. He fanned a slightly above-average 20.6% of NPB opponents against a 5% walk rate. That was VerHagens third season with the Fighters overall. He pitched for the team between 2020-21 and now carries a 3.44 earned run average in 256 2/3 NPB innings. Around the separate stints in Japan, he has appeared in parts of eight MLB campaigns. VerHagen worked as long reliever for the Tigers between 2014-19. He returned to the majors in 2022 for a two-season run with the Cardinals. After posting a 6.65 ERA during his first year in St. Louis, he rebounded with a 3.98 mark acro s a career-high 61 innings in 2023. Noah Juulsen Jersey