The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters took the unusual step Tuesday of re-signing outfielder Tomochika Tsuboi, who had already been left out of the team's plans for next season.
Tsuboi, who received his walking papers at the end of the season, agreed to return to the Japan Series champions next season after meeting with Nippon Ham officials at a Sapporo hotel the same day.
"There had been some bad blood, but I feel like the knot in my stomach has been removed," Tsuboi said.