Veteran pitcher Kimiyasu Kudo was handed a 60 million yen pay rise on Saturday when he re-signed with the Yomiuri Giants on a one-year deal that makes him the highest-paid active pitcher in Japan.

The 39-year-old Kudo, who with the bumper raise will earn an estimated annual salary of 300 million yen, posted just one win in 2001 but bounced back this season to record nine wins against eight losses for a 2.91 ERA in 24 games for the Japan Series champion.

"A one-year contract suits me fine," said Kudo, who added he still harbors dreams of playing in the major leagues.