YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) Yokohama BayStars pitcher Atsushi Kizuka will retire at the end of the season, the team announced Tuesday.
The 33-year-old Kizuka, the BayStars' No. 2 pick in the 2000 draft, had an ERA of 12.27 in six relief appearances this season, and had been told he would not be a part of the team's plans in 2011. He will become a pitching coach for Yokohama's farm team, the Shonan Searex.
Kizuka was named the Central League's top middle reliever in 2001. He will finish his career with a 35-25 record plus 24 saves and an ERA of 3.35.