Hisashi Iwakuma is staying in Washington, after all.
After originally agreeing to leave the Seattle Mariners for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Iwakuma signed a new deal with the Mariners on Thursday for 2016 with options for 2017 and 2018, per Shannon Drayer of ESPN Radio in Seattle.
The Mariners posted a video of general manager Jerry Dipoto announcing the re-signing of Iwakuma:
The Japanese right-handed pitcher accepted a three-year, $45 million deal with the Dodgers on Dec. 6, but Los Angeles backed out after reviewing Iwakuma's physical, according to Japan's Jiji Press (via ESPN.com's Mark Saxon).
Mariners beat writer Greg Johns of MLB.com provided a transcript of Dipoto's reasoning for re-signing Iwakuma:
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted the shaky ground on which his team stood with Iwakuma mid-Thursday, per Eric Stephen of True Blue LA:
The 34-year-old starter has recorded a winning season every year since coming to the major leagues in 2012. He went 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 2015. As the Mariners continue to rebuild under Dipoto, getting Iwakuma back was a huge signing as Seattle looks to cobble together a rotation around ace Felix Hernandez.
However, Iwakuma's failed physical could be an issue, as it was enough to cause the Dodgers to back off. But if healthy, the righty will be in the mix with Taijuan Walker, Wade Miley and others for a top-of-the-rotation spot in 2016.
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