FUKUOKA (Kyodo) The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks said Thursday they have agreed to terms with two-time Central League home run champion Roberto Petagine.
The 38-year-old Venezuelan's contract with the Hawks runs through the end of this season.
Petagine led the CL with 44 home runs for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 1999, his first season in Japan. Two years later, he won the MVP award after helping Yakult win the pennant with 39 homers and 127 RBIs, both league highs.
Petagine batted .317 with 223 homers and 594 RBIs in his previous six-year career in Japan, including in 2003-04 with the Yomiuri Giants. He also played in the major leagues in 1994-98 and 2005-06.
Petagine spent the past two seasons with the LG Twins in South Korea.