Free agent left-hander Shigeki Noguchi signed a two-year contract worth an estimated 200 million yen with the Yomiuri Giants on Thursday.
"I believe Yomiuri is the team to pitch for. I'll do my best to join the starting rotation," said Noguchi, who has an 80-78 record with a 3.67 ERA in his 12-year career with the Chunichi Dragons.
"This is great news for the Giants. I hope Noguchi will lead our pitching staff to a championship," new Giants manager Tatsunori Hara said.
Noguchi, 31, was named the Central League MVP in 1999 as he led the Dragons to win a league pennant with a career-high 19 wins.