The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters on Tuesday announced the acquisition of former Atlanta Braves pitcher Buddy Carlyle.
The 31-year-old right-hander went 0-1 with an 8.86 ERA in 16 relief appearances for the Braves in 2009 and has an 11-11 career record with a 5.61 ERA in 104 major league games.
In his previous stint in Japan, Carlyle went 7-12 in a total of 31 games in 2001-02 for the Hanshin Tigers.
Nippon Ham general manager Masao Yamada hopes that Carlyle will fill a spot in the starting rotation.
"I've learned that he has good command and throws an excellent cutter, so his pitching style might suit Japan well," Yamada said.
Carlyle will earn an annual salary of ¥53 million.
Sikorski update
CHIBA (Kyodo) Chiba Lotte Marines reliever Brian Sikorski looks set to part ways with the Pacific League club, sources close to this matter said Tuesday.
Lotte did not reach an agreement with Sikorski for next season by the Nov. 15 deadline for exclusive negotiations.
Sikorski intends to have talks with other Japanese clubs beginning Wednesday while leaving open the option of returning to the United States.
The 35-year-old right-hander went 8-5 with 15 saves and a 2.19 ERA in 55 games for Lotte in 2009, his eighth season in Japan.
In the major leagues, he has a 4-5 career record with a 5.40 ERA in 40 appearances.
Orix releases pair
OSAKA (Kyodo) The Orix Buffaloes said Tuesday they have released third baseman Jose Fernandez and right-hander Ryan Vogelsong.
Fernandez batted .261 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs this past season, all career lows in seven seasons in Japan.
Vogelsong went 1-4 with a 4.54 ERA in 30 games, two of them starts.
Both players leave the club after one season.