Yuki Matsui – San Diego Padres Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Yuki Matsui is a left-handed reliever from Japan who’s been turning heads since he joined Major League Baseball. His rise from star closer in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to signing with the San Diego Padres feels like a big moment in his career. That jump has definitely caught the attention of baseball fans everywhere.

In December 2023, Matsui signed a five-year contract worth $28 million with the San Diego Padres. The deal is guaranteed and could climb to $33.6 million if he hits certain incentives. He’ll make $3.25 million in his first MLB season, then $5.5 million in 2025. That’s a pretty clear signal the Padres believe in him for the long haul.

At only 28, Matsui already has an impressive resume from his time in Japan. Before coming to San Diego, he was one of the top closers in NPB, racking up saves and showing off great control. His smaller build hasn’t stopped him from delivering powerful performances, which makes him a really interesting addition to the Padres’ bullpen.

Early Life and Background

Yuki Matsui’s story started in Yokohama, Japan. Those early days there shaped his path toward baseball stardom. His formative years gave him the base for what would become a pretty remarkable career.

Family and Childhood

He was born on October 30, 1995 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Matsui grew up in a city that’s a hub for Japanese culture and sports. Yokohama’s energy provided the backdrop for his early baseball dreams.

Growing up in Kanagawa Prefecture, Matsui got exposed to Japan’s deep baseball culture. The area’s produced plenty of pro players, so young athletes there have big dreams.

He started playing baseball in second grade, and it didn’t take long for his talent to show. His family hasn’t shared many details publicly, but their support clearly mattered.

Education and Early Interests

Matsui’s school years lined up with his growing love for baseball. In Japan, sports are a big part of school, so he got to develop both in the classroom and on the field.

He built discipline and work ethic during those years—traits that really stand out in his game now. Japanese schools push teamwork and perseverance, and you can see that in how Matsui plays.

Besides baseball, he kept up with a curriculum that focused on math, science, and language. That balance probably helped him approach pitching with a bit more analysis.

His school days also got him into organized competition. Baseball tournaments are huge events in Japanese school sports.

Beginnings in Baseball

Matsui really started to make his mark in high school. In Japan, high school baseball is a big deal, with national tournaments getting tons of attention.

Coaches noticed his pitching talent early. Japanese baseball puts a lot of focus on fundamentals and technique, and Matsui thrived in that environment.

The structured training in Japanese youth baseball helped him fine-tune his pitching style. Their emphasis on precision and control fit his strengths perfectly.

By his late teens, scouts already saw Matsui as a rising star. His high school performances hinted at the pro career ahead, both in Japan and eventually with the San Diego Padres in MLB.

Professional Baseball Career

Yuki Matsui has built a standout pro career in both Japan and the U.S. He’s made his name as a top relief pitcher, thanks to his strikeout skills and steady presence on the mound.

Nippon Professional Baseball and Pacific League

Matsui kicked off his pro career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in the Pacific League. He debuted in 2013 at just 18, and right away, he showed he could be a force in the bullpen.

Over his NPB career, Matsui became one of Japan’s best closers. He notched 236 saves in 10 seasons with Rakuten—staying healthy and consistent. His best season came in 2022, with a 1.57 ERA and 39 saves.

He relies on a tricky delivery and a nasty splitter—his go-to pitch. Even though he’s only 5-foot-8, Matsui racked up strikeouts, usually more than one per inning.

Achievements and Milestones

Matsui’s NPB run is packed with honors. He made the Pacific League All-Star team five times from 2016 to 2023, which says a lot about his reliability.

In 2019, he hit 100 career saves, becoming one of the youngest pitchers in Pacific League history to do it. By 2022, he reached 200 saves, putting him among Japan’s elite closers.

His numbers are hard to ignore:

• 236 career saves in NPB
• 2.40 career ERA in Japan
• Five-time Pacific League All-Star
• Led the Pacific League in saves twice

Fans in Japan called him “Rocket Boy,” a nod to his fastball and his rapid rise.

Notable Trades and Transfers

The biggest move in Matsui’s career happened in December 2023. He signed a five-year contract worth $28 million with the San Diego Padres, making the leap from NPB to Major League Baseball as an international free agent.

His contract breaks down like this:

• $3.25 million in 2024
• $5.5 million in 2025
• $5.75 million in 2026
• $6.5 million in 2027
• $7 million in 2028

He also has opt-out clauses after 2026 and 2027, so if things go well, he’s got options. This was one of the big international signings of the offseason, and the Padres clearly wanted to beef up their bullpen with proven relief talent.

International Experience

Matsui’s not just a domestic star; he’s played for Japan in international competitions, boosting his reputation worldwide. Those appearances let him show off his stuff on a bigger stage.

Moving to MLB with the Padres is kind of the final step in his international baseball journey. Lots of Japanese players have made the move recently, and Matsui fits right in with that trend.

His deceptive splitter and sharp command have worked well in global tournaments. Scouts liked his ability to get swings and misses, no matter who’s in the batter’s box, and figured he’d do just fine against MLB hitters.

Switching from Japanese to American baseball isn’t easy, but Matsui’s mental toughness and adaptability have been key throughout his career.

Recent Contract and Team Status

In December 2023, Yuki Matsui grabbed headlines by signing a big multi-year contract with the San Diego Padres. That move brought him into Major League Baseball after a strong career in Japan. His signing was one of the more talked-about international deals of the 2023-2024 offseason.

Contract Details and Negotiations

Matsui signed a five-year contract worth $28 million with the Padres on December 23, 2023. The deal guarantees the full $28 million, with an average salary of $5.6 million per year.

Year by year, he’ll earn $3.25 million in 2024 and $5.5 million in 2025. The contract runs through 2028, so both Matsui and the Padres get some stability.

The deal also has performance incentives that could boost the total to $33.6 million over five years if he hits certain marks. The Padres clearly believe in him but are managing the risk that comes with an international player adjusting to MLB.

Transition to Major League Baseball

Matsui’s jump to MLB comes after a standout run in Japan’s NPB with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He built his reputation there as a top closer.

Now he’s in the National League West, facing teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 2023-2024 offseason saw a wave of Japanese players heading to MLB, and Matsui was one of the bigger bullpen pickups.

Adjusting from NPB to MLB isn’t simple. Matsui’s worked with coaches to get used to different strike zones, ball sizes, and the more power-hitting MLB lineups.

The Padres have made a habit of adding international talent, and Matsui fits right in with that approach.

Current Team and Role

With the Padres, Matsui works mainly as a relief pitcher. As of May 2025, the Padres are 23-13 and sitting in second place in their division.

His left-handed delivery and sneaky pitch mix give the Padres’ bullpen a lot of flexibility. Manager Mike Shildt often brings Matsui in for high-pressure spots, especially against left-handed hitters who struggle with his splitter and slider.

The Padres use a bullpen strategy that’s more about matchups than set innings. That means Matsui can face the toughest parts of opposing lineups, where his skills really shine.

In the NL West, with teams like the Dodgers and Giants loaded with lefty power, Matsui’s role is even more important during big divisional games.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Yuki Matsui’s become a valuable player in pro baseball, and his earnings reflect that. His deal with the Padres marks a big step up in his financial life.

Career Earnings by Team

Before coming to MLB, Matsui earned his living in NPB with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Exact numbers aren’t public, but top Japanese relievers usually make $1-3 million a year.

His big payday arrived with the five-year, $28 million guaranteed contract from the Padres in December 2023. He’ll earn $3.25 million in his first MLB season, then $5.5 million in 2025.

Here’s a quick look at his contract details:

• Base deal: $28 million over 5 years
• Average annual value: $5.6 million
• Potential total value: $33.6 million with incentives

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Matsui has worked with several endorsement partners throughout his career, mostly with Japanese brands. As one of the top pitchers in NPB, he landed deals with sporting equipment makers and some well-known Japanese companies.

He signed contracts with major baseball gear providers, so he gets custom gloves and specialized pitching equipment. These endorsements probably add a few hundred thousand dollars to his yearly income.

After joining MLB and the Padres, Matsui suddenly found himself with a lot more endorsement potential. Playing in North America brings international visibility and opens up chances for American and global sponsorships, which could double what he makes off the field.

Investment Ventures

Like a lot of pro athletes, Matsui started diversifying his wealth with some smart investments. He hasn’t shared exact details, but Japanese baseball stars usually put their money into real estate, tech startups, or established businesses.

He reportedly owns property in both Japan and the United States. Real estate seems to be a key part of his investment plan, giving him both asset growth and rental income.

Financial advisors who know athlete portfolios say international players like Matsui often keep investments in their home countries and slowly branch out into their new market. This helps them balance out currency risks.

His growing net worth—estimated somewhere between $10 and $15 million—shows both his baseball earnings and his financial savvy.

Notable Relationships and Collaborations

Yuki Matsui’s baseball journey has really been shaped by important relationships with teammates, mentors, and even rivals in both Japanese and American leagues. These connections have influenced his pitching style and overall growth, especially since he signed his five-year, $28 million contract with the San Diego Padres in December 2023.

Teammates and Peers

Moving to Major League Baseball put Matsui in the mix with several big-name Japanese players. Joining the Padres put him in the same league as Shohei Ohtani, setting up an intriguing matchup between two Japanese stars. They haven’t been teammates, but people can’t help comparing their parallel journeys from NPB to MLB.

He also has a notable connection with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who came to MLB around the same time. Both pitchers represent a significant wave of Japanese talent making the jump during the 2023-2024 offseason.

Inside the Padres clubhouse, Matsui built working relationships with catchers like Austin Hedges. Hedges has played a big role in helping Matsui get used to MLB pitching strategies and the different ways players communicate here.

Influences and Mentors

Over his career, Matsui often credits veteran pitchers for shaping his approach. In Japan, he worked under experienced NPB coaches who helped him refine his unique delivery and that nasty splitter.

He’s mentioned Kenta Maeda as someone he studied closely, especially since Maeda made the NPB-to-MLB leap years earlier. Maeda’s ability to adjust and thrive in MLB gave Matsui a bit of a roadmap for his own transition.

In the Padres bullpen, Matsui has had the chance to learn from established MLB relievers. Their advice has been valuable as he gets used to different pitching schedules, training routines, and all the strategy differences between Japanese and American baseball.

High-Profile Matchups

Since he joined MLB, Matsui has gone up against some of the league’s best hitters in high-pressure spots.

When he faces power hitters, you can really see how well he uses his splitter against top MLB talent.

Fans are especially excited about possible matchups with Shohei Ohtani. These moments feel like a clash between two of Japan’s biggest baseball stars.

Whenever Matsui and Ohtani meet at the plate, both American and Japanese media pay close attention.

Matsui has also taken the mound against big-name MLB hitters who play behind elite starters like Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, and Luis Severino.

These games have pushed Matsui to keep his cool when the stakes are high and the opponents are proven stars.

People keep a close eye on how Matsui performs against division rivals, especially since the Padres have to battle through the tough NL West.

How he pitches in these key games might end up shaping a big part of his MLB legacy as he continues his five-year contract.