Right-hander Rafael Dolis, 32, has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a twitter report by Hanshin Tigers English News, who first reported the story early Sunday morning in Japan.
You can find Dolis’ NPB player page in English HERE.
Dolis saved 30-plus games in both 2018 and 2019, but was pulled from the closer’s role on July 23, for reasons that are not obvious in his results. The club turned to ageless right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa, who converted every save opportunity that came his way the rest of the year.
You can read Kyodo News’ interview with Fujikawa HERE.
Since he arrived in 2016, Dolis has relied primarily on a fastball, a two-seamer and a split, which has been his most effective pitch and said he perfected with the help of Tigers coaches.
Two-seamers are still considered a rarity in Japan. Among pitchers last season who threw 200 or more of them, Dolis’ was ranked fourth in NPB by data analysis site Delta Graphs. His splitter ranked fifth, which may not sound as impressive until one realizes how many extremely good splitters are thrown here.
