Masaru Nakamura

Masaru Nakamura (中村 勝) (born December 11, 1991) is a Japanese professional baseball player for the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
Nakamura debuted for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on August 11, 2010. He had 18 strikeouts in 2013 for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Through 2016 with the Fighters, Nakamura had a 14-16 with a 3.89 ERA and 146 strikeouts. Nakamura did not return to the Fighters after a 2019 season in which he allowed 6 runs in only 2.0 innings of work. In parts of 9 seasons, Nakamura recorded a 15-17 record with a 4.07 ERA and 150 strikeouts.

Nakamura signed on to play for the Brisbane Bandits in the Australian Baseball League for the 2020/2021 season.

Mariachis de Guadalajara
On February 19, 2021, Nakamura signed with the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League. Nakamura made 9 appearances, all starts, for Guadalajara in 2021, recording a 3.25 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 52.2 innings of work. Nakamura was voted the LMB Pitcher of the Year following the season.

Orix Buffaloes
On February 23, 2022, Nakamura signed a one-year, training player contract with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball.