Yomiuri Giants right-hander Koji Uehara re-signed with the Central League club Wednesday for an annual salary of ¥400 million, the highest for a pitcher in Japan among those who have already agreed to contracts this winter.
The contract agreement represents a ¥90 million salary pay raise, surpassing Chunichi Dragons closer Hitoki Iwase's 2007 paycheck of ¥390 million.
Uehara made a slow start to the season after injuring both of his hamstrings, but managed a comeback and took over the closer's role at the end of April.
The 32-year-old Uehara had pitched out of the starting rotation until suffering his injuries but made his mark as a closer, registering a new club-record 32 saves en route to helping Yomiuri win its first league championship in five years.
"The team has given me a very high evaluation," said Uehara, who also contributed as the closer to help Japan's national team book a spot in next year's Beijing Olympics.
Next season, Uehara hopes to rejoin the starting rotation after experiencing the pressure of the closer's role. The Giants have signed ex-Yokohama BayStars closer Marc Kroon. "The closer really is a tough position. I really learned how important every pitch is. Hopefully, I can be a starter again," he said. Uehara will be eligible for free agency if he remains on the active roster eight days after the start of the 2008 season.