The 34-year-old hurler signed on with the Ham Fighters prior to the 2024 campaign and went on to post a 3.09 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and an 82/22 K/BB ratio over 96 innings in his 20 appearances. He then declined his player option and explored the open market before deciding that a return there was in his best interests.

It’s a return to Japan for VeHagen, who spent two seasons overseas pitching for the Fighters from 2020-2021, before spending the last two years wirh the Cardinals. The 33-year-old righty made a career-high 60 relief appearances this past season for St. Louis, finishing with a serviceable 3.98 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 60/26 K/BB ratio across 61 innings of work.

We’re not saying that the Cardinals were trying to lose, but if they were... To be fair, the Cards weren’t going to use Ryan Helsley for a second straight day after he just came off the IL on Friday, and JoJo Romero was also unavailable after throwing 35 pitches on Friday. They could have asked for more than an inning out of Giovanny Gallegos after he had gone a week without pitching, but they chose not to. It would have been VerHagen’s first career save had he converted it. Alas, he hit the second batter he faced and then gave up his eighth homer in 51 1/3 innings this season.

VerHagen rejoins the Cardinals’ relief mix following a brief three-game stint on the bereavement list.