The San Diego Padres have exercised the 2006 contractual option for right-hander Akinori Otsuka, Padres general manager Kevin Towers said Tuesday.
The 33-year-old Otsuka made 66 relief appearances for the Padres this past season and went 2-8 with one save. He pitched 62 2/3 innings and had a 3.59 ERA.
"The club told me they want me to do my best for the Padres again next year. I'm quite relieved," said Otsuka, who is training in San Diego and expected to return to Japan during the middle of next month.