Orix Buffaloes right-hander Satoshi Komatsu, a former Pacific League Rookie of the Year, will retire at the end of this season, the team announced Wednesday.
The 34-year-old pitcher, who joined Orix from a corporate team in 2007 under a short-lived draft system that allowed notable amateur players to designate professional teams they want to play for, has appeared in only three games this year with a 0-1 record and an ERA of 8.10.
In 2008, his second year with the Buffaloes, he was presented with the PL Rookie of the Year award after going 15 -3 with a 2.51 ERA.
In 2009, he helped Japan win its second consecutive World Baseball Classic title.
Komatsu has a career ERA of 4.36 with a 25-26 record and one save in 158 games.