The Chunichi Dragons said Saturday they have reached an agreement on the reacquisition of right-hander Kenshin Kawakami, who spent his final year of a three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves playing in the minor leagues.
Kawakami's one-year contract will be worth ¥30 million plus performance incentives.
Spurned by the Braves's top team in 2011, Kawakami had been looking for a place to call home since the end of last season and is set to formally sign with the Central League club at the team's spring training camp in Okinawa on Tuesday. The 36-year-old, who will get his old No. 11 jersey, will play for Chunichi for the first time in four years.
"He says that he wants to be a member of the starting rotation. I would like to see him make this challenge," said Chunichi team representative Ryohei Sato.