A former Philadelphia Phillies reliever is heading back overseas after his latest stint in Major League Baseball came to an abrupt end following just one appearance this season.
After making a lone outing with the Cincinnati Reds, Yunior Marte endured a disastrous performance that left him with a 108.00 ERA before being designated for assignment. He later joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, but with no immediate path back to the majors, Marte requested his release and has now found a new opportunity abroad.
Marte is returning to Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball after his brief return to the major leagues.
“The Rakuten Eagles are signing former Chunichi Dragons RHP Yunior Marte, who was released by Pittsburgh this week to return to NPB,” the team announced on X, formerly Twitter.
Marte spent two seasons with the Phillies from 2023 through 2024, appearing in more than 60 games while posting a 5.79 ERA with 61 strikeouts. However, his latest MLB opportunity lasted only one appearance before he departed affiliated baseball.
“The 31-year-old Marte appeared in one game with the Reds earlier this season,” Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors wrote. “He was tagged for four runs in just one-third of an inning, resulting in an absurd-looking 108.00 ERA on the season, though obviously there’s not much to glean from one miserable outing. The Reds designated Marte for assignment following that lone appearance.”
Adams also noted that a successful return overseas could reopen doors in North America.
“A strong performance could earn him another look with a North American club but would also potentially position him to re-sign for a nice guarantee with a team in Japan or South Korea,” Adams added.
Phillies fans may remember Marte as a bullpen arm the organization acquired from the San Francisco Giants before the 2023 season. Although he flashed intriguing potential, he was never able to establish himself as a consistent contributor in Philadelphia.
“The Phillies acquired Marte from the Giants (in 2023) in exchange for left-hander Erik Miller,” CBS Sports reported at the time. “Marte reached the majors for the first time in 2022 as a 27-year-old, logging a 5.44 ERA and 1.44 WHIP while striking out 44 over 48 innings. With the Giants bringing aboard Luke Jackson (elbow) on a two-year deal … Marte would have been a candidate to lose his spot on the 40-man roster, so San Francisco made the decision to trade him away to get a younger asset in Miller in return.”
Although his latest major league opportunity ended almost as soon as it began, Marte now returns to a familiar setting with the Rakuten Eagles. If he can regain the form that previously made him an appealing bullpen option, another opportunity in Major League Baseball could still be possible.
Former Phillies Pitcher Looks to Rebuild Career in Japan
Despite the eye-catching ERA, Marte’s numbers were the result of a single difficult relief appearance rather than an extended stretch of struggles.
Having already enjoyed success in Japan earlier in his career, returning to NPB represents a sensible next step as he attempts to revive his career. A strong showing with the Rakuten Eagles could eventually put him back on the radar of MLB organizations, though it may also lead to a long-term future in Asia.