Career

Otsuka came to the United States after several years of pitching in the Japanese League when his former team, the Chunichi Dragons, used the posting system to solicit bids from MLB clubs for the right to negotiate with him. The Padres offered the top bid, and signed him to a three-year contract on December 9, 2003. On January 6, 2006, Otsuka was traded to the Rangers, along with pitcher Adam Eaton and minor league catcher Billy Killian, in exchange for pitcher Chris Young, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, and outfielder Terrmel Sledge.

Otsuka took over the role as the closer for the Rangers during the 2006 season, replacing Francisco Cordero, and recorded 32 saves while posting a 2.11 ERA. However, on December 19, 2006, the Rangers announced that newly signed Éric Gagné would take over the closer role in 2007, with Otsuka moving back into a set-up role. On January 13, 2007, T. R. Sullivan reported that, in an interview in Japan, Otsuka said "If there is the team which needs me as a closer, I am going to think about (the trade)". Due to Gagné starting the season on the DL, Otsuka began the 2007 season as the closer. With the trade of Gagne to the Boston Red Sox, Otsuka assumed the closer's role again. However, Otsuka went on the DL after experiencing tighntess in his throwing shoulder. His stand-in was C. J. Wilson. Otsuka was not offered a new contract by the Rangers and became a free agent on December 12, 2007.

On January 10, 2008, Otsuka announced that he would undergo elbow surgery.

Otsuka was the player-manager of the Shinano Grandserows of the Japanese Baseball Challenge League from 2012-2014. The team held his retirement ceremony on September 15, 2014.

Personal life

Otsuka and his wife, Akemi, have one son, Toranosuke, and one daughter, Hikaru.

Statistics

Major Leagues (Total as of July 26, 2008)

• 236 Games
• 232 Innings pitched
• 13 Wins
• 15 Losses
• 39 Saves
• 217 Strikeouts
• 2.44 ERA

Japanese Professional Leagues

• 305 Games
• 350.2 Innings pitched
• 14 Wins
• 23 Losses
• 137 Saves
• 474 Strikeouts
• 2.39 ERA

Season by Season
Last update: 26 July 2008

Year	Team	Age	GP	W	L	S	IP	ER	K	ERA
1997	Kintetsu Buffaloes	25	52	4	5	7	82.2	19	127	2.07
1998	Kintetsu Buffaloes	26	49	3	2	35	55.1	13	32	2.11
1999	Kintetsu Buffaloes	27	25	1	4	6	29.2	9	32	3.95
2000	Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes	28	39	1	3	24	41.2	11	97	2.38
2001	Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes	29	48	2	5	26	56	25	82	4.02
2002	Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes	30	41	2	1	22	42.1	6	54	1.82
2003	Chunichi Dragons	31	51	1	3	17	43	10	56	2.09
2004	San Diego Padres	32	73	7	2	0	77.3	15	87	1.75
2005	San Diego Padres	33	66	2	8	0	62.7	25	60	3.59
2006	Texas Rangers	34	63	2	4	32	59.7	14	47	2.11
2007	Texas Rangers	35	34	2	1	4	32.1	9	23	2.51

*Bold = led league

[ Source: Wikipedia ]