Pitcher Thomas Hatch is leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates to play in Japan next season, per a report from a Korean news outlet.
Yakyu Cosmopolitan is reporting that Hatch, who received interest from several KBO teams in South Korea, will sign with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Nippon Professional Baseball League.
Hatch’s departure would further deplete a Pirates’ pitching staff desperate for starting pitching but also open up a spot on their 40-man roster to add players through free agency or trades.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander was 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 22 1/3 innings over 12 appearances, including two starts as an opener, for the Pirates after being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 6.
Hatch, 29, has a career record of 4-4 with a 4.96 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 69 innings over 39 games, including six starts, over four seasons with the Blue Jays and Pirates.
