The Chunichi Dragons regained one of their own Tuesday when they signed Yasuaki Taiho back after the Taiwanese slugger was released by the Hanshin Tigers.
Taiho, 37, who played for the Dragons from 1990 to 1997 before going to the Tigers for three seasons, signed a one-year deal worth an estimated 75 million yen with his old club.
"I'm back home. In three years with Hanshin, I had plenty of time off (on the bench), so I am ready to get back into the thick of the battle and show my spirit," said Taiho, who was drafted by Chunichi in the second round in 1989.
Taiho, who led the Central League in homers (38) and runs batted in (107) in 1994 for Chunichi, hit .241 with 23 homers and 54 RBIs for the Tigers this past season while appearing in only 97 games.