Yabuta made his professional debut with the Marines in 1996, and spent 12 years with the organization.

He competed in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and struck out Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Derrek Lee.

After the season, he declared his free agency and came to America to pursue a Major League Baseball career.

He signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Kansas City Royals.

The deal included a $4 million club option for a third year.