The Orix BlueWave obtained the right to negotiate with Mac Suzuki on Wednesday, naming the former Kansas City Royals right-hander in the second round of the baseball draft.
The Yakult Swallows, meanwhile, won the lottery for hard-throwing Tohoku high school left-hander Yuhei Takai, who was also named by the Kintetsu Buffaloes in the first round.
Orix was among several clubs which have shown interest in Suzuki after the 27-year-old was released by Kansas City last month and expressed his hope to pitch in Japan next season.
The Hyogo native is the only Japanese who has played in the major leagues without a professional career in Japan and had to be picked in Wednesday's draft before signing with a Japanese club.
Suzuki has a 16-31 record in his seven-year major league career.