SEATTLE -- Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma intends to try to continue his professional career next year in Japan.
The 37-year-old Iwakuma has missed the entire 2018 season while trying to recover from major shoulder surgery in September 2017. Iwakuma was hoping to contribute to the Mariners' rotation later in the season, but he had several setbacks along the way and only pitched in rehab outings in the minors.
Seattle manager Scott Servais said Iwakuma would not pitch for the Mariners in the final few weeks of the regular season.
"I think he saw enough out of his last outing or two that he wants to continue to play, which is a good thing," Servais said.
Iwakuma pitched six seasons with the Mariners and had a career mark of 63-39 with a 3.42 ERA in 150 career games. He threw a no-hitter during the 2015 season.
