CHIBA (Kyodo) The Chiba Lotte Marines said Sunday they have acquired left-hander Yuji Yoshimi from the Yokohama BayStars for cash.

"I had asked the front office for an experienced left-hander," Lotte manager Norifumi Nishimura said. "I'm extremely glad that my wish was fulfilled."

Yoshimi joined Yokohama in 2001 and went 11-8 with a 3.64 ERA the following season. He has a career 36-49 record with a 4.88 ERA in 209 games.

"I have a strong attachment to Yokohama, for which I played for over nine years," Yoshimi said. "But I will put that feeling behind me and start anew."

This season, the 31-year-old has started in only one game and allowed four runs in 1 1/3 innings.