Mets pitcher ditches contract to sign in Japan

The New York Mets and Grant Hartwig parted ways in a release in June.

The reason has now emerged: Hartwig wanted to go to Japan.

Hartwig signed a contract with the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball.

The 27-year old, 6-foot-5 righty has pitched for the Mets each of the past two seasons.

In 2023, he had a 4.84 ERA.

A meniscus tear limited him in 2024 to 6.2 MLB innings, in which he allowed six runs.

Hartwig hadn't made it back to the majors this season.

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The fact that he made it at all is pretty remarkable. He was an undrafted free agent out of Miami (Ohio).

In Triple-A this year, Hartwig had a 3.42 ERA in 23.2 innings pitched.

The side-winding righty with a 95 mile per hour sinker has a great chance to have success in Japan, and maybe he'll make an attempt in a year or two to return stateside with an improved game.

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