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Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher signs new deal in Japan


Michael Rainone
Dec 21, 2025  (7:46 PM)
Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher extends with team in Japan
Photo credit: MLB
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

In recent news former Toronto Blue Jays reliever Rafael Dolis is re-signing with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan.

Dolis is now 37 years old, he has had much success in Japan than in the MLB,, and is still fit enough to perform at that level.

Rafael Dolis stays in Japan, squeezing out all the baseball he has left.

Conor Liguori of Sporting News reports on the recent re-signing of the former MLB reliever.
Dolis never saw too much success in the Majors, his longest stint was with the Blue Jays in 2020 when he tried making his comeback from Japan.
"The Dominican Republic native departed Japan to sign with the Blue Jays ahead of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He returned to the Tigers this past summer after stints in Mexico and the Dominican Winter League. Following a 1.50 ERA season with the Blue Jays in 2020, Toronto designated Dolis for assignment the following August. Infielder Kevin Smith took his spot on the roster. He walked 27 batters in 32 innings with the Blue Jays in 2021, resulting in an ugly 1.75 WHIP."-Liguori

Dolis made his Major League debut with the Cubs, from 2011-2013, then only had minor league stints with the Giants and the Detroit Tigers organizations. Before heading to Japan in 2016. He simply was walking too many people, but he performed well in Japan.
"Dolis posted a 1.93 ERA and 21.6 strikeout percentage in 18.2 innings in 2025 with the Tigers. His new contract with the Tigers signifies he wants to keep pitching despite his advanced age in professional baseball."-Liguori

Dolis never panned out in the Majors, but he proved to have a good career overseas and he still has some game left before he's ready to call it a career.
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