Tokyo Yakult Swallows left-handed reliever Hirotoshi Ishii took a 40 million yen pay cut Friday and re-signed with the club on a contract worth an estimated 110 million yen in annual salary plus performance-related bonuses.
Ishii injured his pitching shoulder at the World Baseball Classic in March last year and was limited to 11 games, earning six saves with a 4.35 ERA. In 2005, he went 4-3 with 37 saves and a 1.95 ERA in 61 games.
The 29-year-old had surgery on the shoulder in October but is expected to be out for a large chunk of this season. "Last year was the worst year so far for me," said Ishii. "This year will be a tough year with rehabilitation. I want to get better without rushing things and hopefully I will be able to pitch in the playoffs."