San Diego Padres

Padres sign Japanese right-hander Kazuhisa Makita

Published Jan. 9, 2018 1:23 p.m. ET

SAN DIEGO (AP) The San Diego Padres signed Japanese right-hander Kazuhisa Makita to a two-year contract Saturday.

The 33-year-old Makita was 10-4 with a 1.91 ERA the last two seasons with the Seibu Lions in Japan.

The submarine-throwing pitcher was the closer for bronze medal-winning Japan in the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and 2017, going a combined 2-0 with three saves.