OSAKA -- The Hanshin Tigers are set to sign utility man Eduardo Perez from the St. Louis Cardinals, officials of the Central League club confirmed Wednesday.
Perez, who can play first or third base and has also played left field, hit .297 with three home runs in 35 major-league games this past season and is expected to bat No. 4 for the Tigers next year, Hanshin officials said.
The acquisition of the 31-year-old Perez will bring Hanshin's quota of foreign players to four after the club signed San Diego pitcher Buddy Carlyle and former Pittsburgh infielder Ivan Cruz last month. Pitcher Greg Hansell is still on the team's roster.