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NPB’s Nippon-Ham Fighters Re-Sign Drew VerHagen

By Anthony Franco | December 26, 2024 at 4:39pm CDT

The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan announced yesterday that they’re bringing back righty Drew VerHagen on a one-year deal. The Vayner Sports client first joined the Fighters on a one-year contract with a 2025 player option last winter. While it seems he explored free agent possibilities in lieu of the player option, he elected to return to Hokkaido all the same.

VerHagen divided the ’24 season between the Fighters and their minor league affiliate. He posted similarly solid numbers at both stops. The 34-year-old tossed 49 innings of 3.12 ERA ball at Japan’s top level and managed a 3.06 mark across 47 minor league frames. He fanned a slightly above-average 20.6% of NPB opponents against a 5% walk rate.

That was VerHagen’s third season with the Fighters overall. He pitched for the team between 2020-21 and now carries a 3.44 earned run average in 256 2/3 NPB innings. Around the separate stints in Japan, he has appeared in parts of eight MLB campaigns. VerHagen worked as long reliever for the Tigers between 2014-19. He returned to the majors in 2022 for a two-season run with the Cardinals. After posting a 6.65 ERA during his first year in St. Louis, he rebounded with a 3.98 mark across a career-high 61 innings in 2023.

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Nippon Professional Baseball Transactions Drew VerHagen

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View Comments (20)
Post a Comment

20 Comments

  1. Reynaldo's

    10 months ago

    What does Nippon Ham taste like?

    2
    Reply
    • oldgfan

      10 months ago

      It’s so delicious you would fight over the last slice. Teriyaki honey glazed wonder.

      5
      Reply
  2. James Midway

    10 months ago

    Ham Fighters is the best name ever. I know it’s Nippon-Ham but I like Ham Fighters better.

    9
    Reply
    • windmill_noise_causes_cancer

      10 months ago

      Original take.

      2
      Reply
      • James Midway

        10 months ago

        Glad I could make your day

        5
        Reply
    • alproof

      10 months ago

      Tabasco Cattlemen

      Reply
  3. Paleobros

    10 months ago

    Why do they quarrel with ham?

    5
    Reply
    • oscar gamble

      10 months ago

      They are vegetarians

      2
      Reply
    • humphrey x boegarts

      10 months ago

      I like to think they fight on ham’s side. Like how freedom fighters fight for freedom, ham fighters fight for ham.

      3
      Reply
  4. CarryABigStick

    10 months ago

    Let’s round his first St Louis ERA up to 6.66, just because.

    2
    Reply
  5. Melchez17

    10 months ago

    Foo Fighters are better.

    Reply
    • oldgfan

      10 months ago

      I dunno, never seen a foo win any fights.

      1
      Reply
      • Melchez17

        10 months ago

        I piddy duh foo.

        1
        Reply
      • Blue Baron

        10 months ago

        oldgfan: That name comes from wartime fighter pilots.

        Reply
  6. BurnerK

    10 months ago

    If MLB network would air these leagues…..

    1
    Reply
    • James Midway

      10 months ago

      It would be cool if we got a few NPB games a week.

      Reply
  7. Blue Baron

    10 months ago

    He’ll really help fight those pesky hams, lol.

    2
    Reply
  8. Bart Harley Jarvis

    10 months ago

    I wish they were called the Monkey Fighters.

    1
    Reply
  9. nice pickup

    10 months ago

    Nice pickup!

    1
    Reply
  10. RochesterMetsFan

    10 months ago

    I’m a Nippon Ham lover not a Nippon Ham fighter

    Reply

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