Masahiro Tanaka is coming home.
The right-hander, who in 2013 led the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles to their only Pacific League pennant and Japan Series title, is returning to the club this season the Eagles announced on Thursday.
“Welcome home our hero!” the team announced on its website, with a photo of the pitcher from the last time he wore an Eagles uniform. According to the club, Tanaka will once again wear the No. 18 he starred in from 2007 to 2013 in Sendai.