Marines’ Masuda logs 250th career save, fifth all-time in NPB

Chiba – Right-handed pitcher Naoya Masuda of the Chiba Lotte Marines has achieved a milestone in his 250th career save, becoming the fifth player in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to reach this mark. The 36-year-old hurler recorded his second save of the season in a home game against the Saitama Seibu Lions on Tuesday at Zozo Marine Stadium in Chiba. Masuda made his professional save debut with the Marines on August 5, 2012, during a game against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka.

Masuda emphasized his commitment to continue pitching regardless of his age, stating, "I want to continue throwing regardless of age, without losing to (younger pitchers)." The Kansai University of International Studies graduate from Hyogo Prefecture was drafted by the Marines as their fourth pick in 2011 and was named the Pacific League's rookie of the year in 2012. He also led the league in saves in 2013 and 2021. Currently, Masuda ranks ninth in all-time mound appearances with 795 appearances.

Hitoki Iwase, who played for the Chunichi Dragons in the Central League, holds the record for the most saves in NPB history with 407. Among active players, Yoshihisa Hirano of the Buffalo's team has recorded 258 saves in Japan and MLB in the United States.