After originally agreeing to a one-year deal with the Hiroshima Carp, former Chicago White Sox prospect Felix Diaz instead will be joining the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, the club announced Sunday.
Diaz had a one-year deal and an option for 2007 with the Carp, but things fell apart after final terms had been negotiated.
Two Japanese teams contacted Diaz, who has been playing winter ball for the Licey Tigers in the Dominican Republic, and the Fighters came through with a one-year deal worth 50 million yen, according to a Kyodo News report.
Diaz struggled with injuries in 2005, spending the entire season with Triple-A Charlotte, where he posted a 6-8 record with a 5.00 ERA.
Diaz was 10-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 2004, also with Charlotte. He last pitched in the majors in 2004, when he was 2-5 with 33 strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA in 49.1 innings in a callup with the White Sox.