Arihara signed with the SoftBank Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball League on Thursday, the Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arihara spent the last two seasons in the Rangers' organization, though he struggled to a 7.57 ERA across 60.2 innings in the majors. He'll return to the NPB where he experienced much more success across six seasons before coming stateside.

Arihara elected free agency Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

A standout pitcher in his home country of Japan, Arihara made the jump to affiliated ball ahead of the 2021 season, joining the Rangers on a two-year, $6.2 million deal. The soft-tossing right-hander wasn't able to translate his success overseas to MLB, however, as he compiled a 7.57 ERA and 1.73 WHIP over 60.2 innings across two seasons with Texas. He was outrighted off the Rangers' 40-man roster in September and would have been in line for a standard minor-league salary for 2023 had he opted to remain in the organization, so the 30-year-old determined he was better off becoming a free agent. He's unlikely to command anything more than a minor-league deal if he sticks around in North America, so Arihara will most likely head back to Japan to continue his career.

The Rangers outrighted Arihara to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Considering Arihara is in the second season of a two-year, $6.2 million deal, it comes as no surprise that he cleared waivers after he turned in a 9.45 ERA and 2.35 WHIP across 20 innings in the big leagues prior to being designated for assignment. The 30-year-old right-hander will become a free agent this winter and may explore a return to Japan, given his lack of success in North America the past two years.

Arihara was designated for assignment Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Arihara was tagged for 18 earned runs over his last three outings -- including 11 in his last start Saturday -- so the Rangers decided to remove him from both the active and 40-man rosters. It remains to be seen what is next for Arihara, who has struggled to get big-league hitters out since signing with the Rangers in December of 2020.

Arihara (1-3) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing 11 runs on 12 hits and five walks while striking out one over three-plus innings.

EDGE Analysis

Interim manager Tony Beasley stuck with Arihara after a four-run first inning and five-run third inning before pulling the right-hander after three consecutive hits, including a two-run home run, to lead off the fourth frame. After the Rangers announced in late August that Arihara was moving to the bullpen, Saturday's start was viewed as a one-time event, and the results help explain the reason for that.

Arihara is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Blue Jays at Globe Life Field.

EDGE Analysis

After a three-start run following his Aug. 16 call-up from Triple-A Round Rock, Arihara shifted to the bullpen last week. He made one two-inning appearance in relief Sept. 3 but will now step back into the rotation after fifth starter Dallas Keuchel was recently released. Arihara owns a 5.29 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 17 innings with Texas this season and doesn't profile as an inspiring fantasy option.

The Rangers announced Wednesday that Arihara has been moved to the bullpen, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arihara had tentatively lined up to start Saturday in Boston, but the Rangers are instead expected to promote a pitcher from the minors to enter the rotation that day. The 30-year-old right-hander's move to the bullpen comes after he submitted a 5.40 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB in 15 innings across three starts.

Arihara (1-2) took the loss Sunday against Detroit, allowing six runs on eight hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three in 3.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Coming off his best start in the majors, Arihara was ineffective Sunday and allowed 11 of the 21 batters he faced to reach safely. Jeimer Candelario blasted a three-run shot in the second, Arihara walked in a run in the third and two more runners crossed home in the fourth. The 30-year-old has hit a batter in each of his three starts for Texas and has a 5.40 ERA and 1.67 WHIP through 15 innings. Should he continue in the rotation, his next start will likely be next weekend in Boston.

Arihara (1-1) earned the victory Sunday in Minnesota, striking out three in six shutout innings while allowing four singles and hitting a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Arihara cruised through the first six innings, facing just two batters over the minimum. He came back out for the seventh but allowed consecutive singles and was removed. It was the first time in his 12 career big-league starts that he finished six innings. The 29-year-old should continue in the rotation, at least until Spencer Howard (shoulder) returns. His next start will likely be at the end of next week against Detroit.

Arihara will make his next start with the Rangers on Sunday in Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Arihara turned in a ho-hum debut start for the Rangers on Tuesday -- he struck out six while allowing three earned runs over 5.2 innings in a loss to Oakland -- but the coaching staff was satisfied enough with the 30-year-old's performance to hand him another turn through the rotation. He'll draw a much tougher matchup for the second leg of the two step, heading out to Target Field to face a Twins offense that ranks seventh in the majors this season with a 111 wRC+.