TAMPA — Kei Igawa’s family in Japan is living in a car but at least they are alive.
Igawa, a Yankees minor-league pitcher, made contact with the family about 1 a.m. this morning after not being able to reach them in the wake of the devastating tsunami that hit Japan.
Igawa worked out at the Yankees’ minor-league complex this morning and was booked on an afternoon flight to Japan. Igawa’s family lives in Orai of Ibaraki Prefecture which was one of the hardest hit areas.
This is by far Igawa’s worst experience in a Yankees career that has not gone well. Between posting fees and salary, the Yankees invested $46 million in the left-hander who hasn’t pitched in the big league since 2008. He is in the last year of a five-year deal worth $20 million.