Former Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima signed a four-year, ¥2 billion contract with the Hanshin Tigers on Friday.
The 33-year-old will return to Japanese baseball after four seasons with the Mariners.
"I'd like to make a great impact at Koshien Stadium. In Japan, I've played only in the Pacific League, so I know I need to learn about the Central League," Johjima told a packed news conference at an Osaka hotel.