Tomokazu Ohka [toe-mo-KAH-zoo OH-ka] (大家友和, born March 18, 1976 in Kyoto, Japan) is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who plays for the Washington Nationals. Previously, Ohka played with the Boston Red Sox (1999-2001) and Montreal Expos (2001-04). He bats and throws right-handed.
In 1998 Ohka was purchased by the Red Sox from the Yokohama BayStars (Japan's Central League). He made his major league debut on July 19, 1999, and was sent to Montreal in the 2001 mid-season in the same trade that brought the closer Ugueth Urbina to Boston.
In a six-year career, Ohka has compiled a 33-44 record with 390 strikeouts and a 3.92 ERA in 665.2 innings. His most productive season came with the Expos in 2002, when he posted 13-8 with 118 strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA.
Ohka has an average --and sometimes a shade above-- fastball, a decent curve, a slider and change-up, all of which can be effective when he is focused.
In June 2004, Ohka broke his right forearm when he was hit by a line drive off Carlos Beltrán's bat in Kansas City. Ohka underwent major surgery and was out for the remainder of the season. He finished 3-5 with a 3.01 ERA in 12 starts.
Pitching has been a top priority for the Washington Nationals, but the team's limited budget has made it difficult to improve a staff that was 12th in the National League in 2004. Ohka joins a starting rotation that includes Liván Hernández, Esteban Loaiza and Tony Armas, Jr.
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