The Milwaukee Brewers announced Tuesday the acquisition of former Yomiuri Giants reliever Takaki Nomura on a one-year deal.
In an article on the club's official Web site, headlined "Japanese southpaw joins Brewers bullpen," Milwaukee general manager Dean Taylor said Nomura "will provide needed left-handed depth in the bullpen, which is something we have been lacking."
Nomura is the third Japanese to join the Brewers, following in the footsteps of Hideo Nomo and Mac Suzuki.
Yutaka Enatsu took part in the National League team's spring training in 1985. Baseball sources earlier said Nomura will receive a salary estimated at $600,000 with incentives, but one Milwaukee official said the reported figure was too high.
The 33-year-old Nomura spent seven years with the Orix BlueWave before being traded to Yomiuri in 1998.
He had a 24-22 career record with 39 saves and a 3.11 ERA in 338 games before being released by the Giants after last season.