The Hiroshima Carp have made an offer to bring back veteran left-hander Ken Takahashi, club sources said Saturday.
Hiroshima hopes to fill a hole left by ace Colby Lewis' departure by signing the 40-year-old, who was released by the New York Mets in October after one season in the major leagues.
"We believe Takahashi will return to our club," said a senior Carp official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Takahashi spent all of his previous 14-year career in Japan with Hiroshima, going 66-87 with five saves and a 4.23 ERA.
On May 2, 2009, Takahashi became the oldest Japanese player to make his major league debut at 40 and made 28 relief appearances for the Mets with a 2.96 ERA.
He has given up on signing with a major league club again.
Lewis recently left the Carp to play in the United States, citing family health problems.