The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks said Wednesday they have signed deals with lefty Christopher Nitkowski, 33, and outfielder Adam Hyzdu to one-year contracts each worth 50 million yen.
Nitkowski will be expected to pitch in middle relief for the Pacific League club. The former Detroit Tigers pitcher did not make a major-league appearance this past season but is 18-32 with a 5.37 ERA in 336 major league games.
Hyzdu, who played in just two games for the Texas Rangers this season, has 19 homers with a .229 batting average in the majors.