The Yokohama BayStars said Tuesday they will release veteran left-hander Kimiyasu Kudo, the oldest active player in Japanese baseball, at the end of the season.
The 46-year-old Kudo said he is hoping to continue is career with another club.
"This (being released) was not unexpected and I readily accept this fact," said Kudo.
Yokohama club president Kuniaki Sasaki told Kudo on Sunday while the team was on a road trip in Osaka that he has been left out of the club's plans for next year. After discussions with his family back in Yokohama, Kudo decided he will try to play for another team.
"I won't be able to play here (in Yokohama) anymore but I want to do my best to find somewhere to go. At this point, I am only thinking about playing in Japan."
Kudo joined the Seibu Lions in 1982 and spent 13 seasons there. He had five seasons with the Daiei Hawks and seven with the Yomiuri Giants before moving to Yokohama in 2007.
Kudo, who was named the Pacific League MVP in 1993 and 1999, has a career 224-139 record.
