NPB Pacific League Chiba
NPB Pacific League Chiba Marines (sponsored by Lotte )
Today (2025), Masato Yoshii is the manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines in NPB, where his international experience continues to shape his leadership and coaching style.
Masato Yoshii – MLB Career Summary
Masato Yoshii played in Major League Baseball from 1998 to 2002, joining through free agency – the first NPB player ever to use free agency to move to MLB.
- Teams: New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Montreal Expos
- Debut: April 5, 1998 (with the Mets)
- Final Game: September 11, 2002 (with the Expos)
MLB Career Stats
- Games / Starts: 162 / 118
- Record: 32–47
- ERA: 4.62
- Strikeouts: 447
- WHIP: 1.36
Notable Achievements
- Became the second Japanese pitcher ever to record a complete game victory in MLB (1998).
• Served as the first Japanese player to start a postseason opener (1999).
Yokosuka " Rainy " Johnny 