New Lotte Giants pitcher Shota Iimura poses in the Korea Baseball Organization club's uniform in this photo provided by the Giants, Thursday. Courtesy of Lotte Giants
The Lotte Giants announced Thursday they have signed Japanese pitcher Shota Iimura as their new Asian quota player.
In a corresponding move, the Giants released their ex-Asian quota hurler Masaya Kyoyama.
Iimura, 28, will make $70,000 for the rest of the season. The right-hander has spent time with Japanese corporate club KMG Holdings and then with Taichung Taiwan Life in the semi-pro Taiwanese league.
The Giants said Iimura can touch 153 kph with his four-seam fastball and his arsenal also includes a slider, curveball, two-seam fastball and splitter.
