Pirates pitcher Thomas Hatch to sign with Japanese team, per report

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Pirates pitcher Thomas Hatch to sign with Japanese team, per report

Kevin Gorman | Thursday, November 30, 2023 11:16 a.m.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Pirates reliever Thomas Hatch pitches during the fifth inning against the Braves on Thursday, Aug.10, 2023, at PNC Park.

Pitcher Thomas Hatch is leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates to play in Japan next season, per a report from a Korean news outlet.

Yakyu Cosmopolitan is reporting that Hatch, who received interest from several KBO teams in South Korea, will sign with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Nippon Professional Baseball League.

Hatch’s departure would further deplete a Pirates’ pitching staff desperate for starting pitching but also open up a spot on their 40-man roster to add players through free agency or trades.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander was 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 22 1/3 innings over 12 appearances, including two starts as an opener, for the Pirates after being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 6.

Hatch, 29, has a career record of 4-4 with a 4.96 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 69 innings over 39 games, including six starts, over four seasons with the Blue Jays and Pirates.

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