Former Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka loses in return to Japanese baseball

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka did anything but impress in his return to Japanese baseball on Saturday. The former New York Yankees right-hander allowed four hits and three runs, including a two-run blast in the first inning, in a 4-1 loss to the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

Tanaka signed a two-year, $17.2 million deal with the Golden Eagles in January after finishing a seven-year, $155 million contract with the Yankees in 2020. A report last month stated that the 32-year-old and his family opted to return to Japan amid a rise in anti-Asian racism in the United States. 

Tanaka began his professional baseball career with Tohoku Rakuten in 2007 before joining the Yankees. He led the Golden Eagles to a Japan Series title in 2013 and was named MVP of the championship round. 

The Golden Eagles are currently tied for second in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League with a 10-7 record. 

Tanaka was a two-time All-Star with the Yankees and finished his career in Major League Baseball with a 3.74 ERA and 1.130 WHIP.