The Padres are likely to sign reliever Kazuhisa Makita, a 33-year-old right-hander who combines modest velocity with a submarine delivery, according to a Japanese report. Sports Hochi reported Friday that Makita was traveling to the U.S. to undergo a physical.
Makita and two-way star Shohei Ohtani were made available by their Japanese clubs and given 30-day windows to reach deals with a major league team. The window for Makita, who was posted by the Seibu Lions, closes next week. If the Padres finalize a contract with Makita, they will pay the Lions a relatively inexpensive release fee.
San Diego emerged as one of seven finalists for the highly coveted Ohtani before he chose the Los Angeles Angels. Makita, like Ohtani, has been among Japan's more prominent players, but he would represent a smaller signing.
Makita originally went undrafted by a Nippon Professional Baseball team, and did not make his professional debut until age 26. He quickly established himself, winning the league's rookie-of-the-year award, and posted a 2.83 ERA over six seasons. Makita began pitching exclusively in relief in 2016. This past season, he recorded a 2.30 ERA with 35 strikeouts and five walks in 622/3 innings.
The sidearmer wields a fastball that sits around 80 mph, but has been effective due to an extreme arm angle. He pitched for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and 2017, allowing two earned runs over a combined nine innings.
While not nearly the splash Ohtani could provide, Makita's addition would give a young bullpen a different look. The veteran pitcher also would be the Padres' first Japanese player acquisition under A.J. Preller. The general manager has hired several of Makita's countrymen and expanded scouting efforts across the Pacific Ocean.
