Yasuhiko Yabuta

Infobox MLB player


width = 150px
name=Yasuhiko Yabuta
nihongo2|薮田 安彦
position=Pitcher
team=Kansas City Royals
number=27
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1973|6|19
birthplace=Kishiwada, Osaka, Japan
debutdate=April 5
debutyear=2008
debutteam=Kansas City Royals
statyear=September 4, 2008
stat1label=Win-Loss
stat1value=1-3
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=5.46
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=20
teams=
*Chiba Lotte Marines (by|1996-by|2007)
*Kansas City Royals (by|2008-present)Nihongo|Yasuhiko Yabuta|薮田 安彦|Yabuta Yasuhiko|extra=born June 19, 1973 in Kishiwada, Osaka is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. He formerly played for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He competed in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and struck out Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Derrek Lee.

He was the setup man in by|2007 recording a 4-6 record with a 2.73 ERA in 58 games.

After the 2007 season, he declared his free agency and came to America to pursue a Major League Baseball career. On November 22, mlby|2007, the Kansas City Star reported that the Kansas City Royals agreed with Yabuta on a two-year contract with a club option for 2010. [Dutton, Bob. [http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/372781.html "Royals 'move on' after Hunter signs with Angels"] , November 22, 2007. Accessed November 23, 2007.]

Yabuta officially signed with the Royals on November 28, 2007. He signed a two-year, $6,000,000 deal with the Kansas City Royals. The deal included a $4m club option for a third year.

Yabuta was sent down to Triple-A Omaha on June 25, by|2008. He was designated for assignment on August 2 and was eventually sent outright to the minors. He was brought back to the Royals when the rosters expanded on September 1.

His teammates on the Royals have given him the nickname "Shake." [ [http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/05/23/optometrist_2_for_2_at_fenway/ Optometrist 2 for 2 at Fenway] Accessed May 23, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=493161 MLB.com Player Profile]
* [http://ballplayers.jp/yabuta/ Yasuhiko Yabuta Official Web Site]
* [http://japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=yyabuta Japanese league stats and info of Yasuhiko Yabuta]
* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/Y/Yasuhiko-Yabuta.shtml The Baseball Cube Player Profile]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=8149 ESPN.com Player Profile]