The Los Angeles Dodgers will likely agree to terms with Japanese right-hander Takashi Saito by Tuesday, a team executive revealed Monday.
The two sides have been in the final phase of contract talks, and the Dodgers hope to announce the signing of Saito on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, the executive said.
According to sources close to Saito, the 35-year-old will sign a minor-league contract, but will try to earn a spot on the major-league roster in spring training.
Saito left the Yokohama BayStars after the 2005 season, when he went 3-4 with no saves and a 3.82 ERA in 21 games.
Saito started his career in 1992 with the Taiyo Whales, the forerunner of the BayStars, as their first-round draft pick and has compiled an 87-80 record with 48 saves and a 3.80 ERA in 339 games.
In 1998, Saito helped Yokohama win its first Central League and Japan Series titles in 38 years, posting a solid 13-5 record with one save and a 2.94 ERA.