OSAKA -- Right-hander Hideki Irabu, who was released by American League club Texas Rangers earlier this month, is on the verge of signing for the Hanshin Tigers, Hanshin sources said Wednesday.
Irabu is currently ironing out the details of his contract and according to the sources, the Central League club will be unveiling their new acquisition "very soon."
The 33-year-old Irabu, who was pulled from the Rangers' starting rotation to become a reliever midseason, was 3-8 with a 5.74 ERA and a team-high 16 saves in 2002.