PHOENIX, ARIZONA – AUGUST 24: Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on August 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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The Arizona Diamondbacks will spend the offseason trying to figure out what went wrong after narrowly missing the postseason for the third consecutive year. Their latest disappointment came on the final day of the regular season, when the Philadelphia Phillies’ victory officially eliminated Arizona from contention.
Unfortunately for fans, it was a familiar disappointment.
“The Diamondbacks have been alive until the final three days of the regular season for four straight years, sneaking into the 2023 postseason and falling short via tiebreaker in 2024, getting eliminated in Game 160 in 2025 and suffering the same fate in Game 162 in 2026,” Alex Weiner reported for Arizona Sports.
Now, as the Diamondbacks begin looking ahead, the organization received a reminder of one of its former standout contributors, as Yoshihisa Hirano officially closed the book on a remarkable 21-year professional career that spanned both Japan and the United States.
Former Arizona Diamondbacks Standout Rookie Yoshihisa Hirano Ends 21-Year Baseball Career
Hirano’s final appearance came last week for the Orix Buffaloes, the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) club with which he spent the vast majority of his career. He entered in the ninth inning of his retirement game against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and recorded the final strikeout of his NPB career.
“Yoshihisa Hirano gets the strikeout to end his career on a high note in his retirement game,” Yakyu Cosmopolitan reported with a video of the moment.
The moment provided a fitting conclusion for a reliever who became one of the most accomplished Japanese pitchers of his generation.
Hirano spent three seasons in Major League Baseball after signing with the Diamondbacks ahead of the 2018 season. He immediately became an important part of Arizona’s bullpen, appearing in 75 games and posting a 2.44 ERA in his first MLB campaign, earning some Rookie of the Year Award votes in the process.
He later pitched for the Seattle Mariners before returning to Japan.
His broader career was even more accomplished. Hirano finished his NPB career with 250 saves and 157 holds, while his combined professional totals reached 258 saves and 205 holds. He also helped Orix win three consecutive Pacific League pennants and a Japan Series championship after returning to the club in 2021.
Arizona Diamondbacks Skipper Torey Lovullo Sends Retirement Message To Team’s Former Star
The Diamondbacks remained part of Hirano’s story long after his MLB career ended. During his retirement ceremony, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was among those who sent a video message congratulating the veteran pitcher.
“During Friday’s postgame ceremony, video messages from Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and (Los Angeles Dodgers star Yoshinobu) Yamamoto congratulating Hirano on his retirement drew cheers from the crowd,” Yuri Karasawa reported for World Baseball Network. “Hirano will go down as one of the most successful Japanese relievers in modern history, with a short but solid MLB stint, a Japan Series ring, and a place among NPB’s career saves leaders.”
Hirano originally joined Arizona after a decorated run with Orix and quickly established himself as a dependable late-inning option. His 2018 season represented the peak of his MLB tenure, while his time in the majors ultimately became only one chapter of a much longer career.
For Lovullo and the Diamondbacks, the retirement message offered a chance to recognize a former player who helped their bullpen during a competitive stretch in franchise history. And now the Diamondbacks will be left with some big decisions to make, including questions about Lovullo’s own career future after a disappointing playoff absence.
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