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Watch: New Padres Pitcher Accomplishes Impressive Feat in Cactus League Debut

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Padres
By Maren Angus-Coombs | Last updated 2/22/24

Following a disappointing start by Joe Musgrove , the San Diego Padres' second inning was one of the lone bright spots in the Cactus League opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Peoria Sports Complex on Thursday.

New relief pitcher Yuki Matsui recorded an immaculate inning and introduced Major League Baseball to his insane splitter.

Yuki Matsui strikes out the side in his #SpringTraining debut. pic.twitter.com/wOMuTO8wdP
— MLB (@MLB) February 22, 2024

Matsui struck out Gavin Lux, Chris Owings, and Andy Pages of the Dodgers on three pitches each and made some of the swings look silly.

Yuki Matsui Praised by Dodgers Starter

Lux was interviewed by reporters when his day was over and said Matsui, "looked pretty damn good."

Judging by his debut, Matsui is an early candidate to be named the closer for the Padres which is a position he is familiar with after having six seasons with 30-plus saves in Japan.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Padres and was syndicated with permission.

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