Two-time major league All-Star Brad Penny has signed a one-year contract with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, the Japan Series champions announced Sunday.
The 33-year-old Penny will arrive in Japan on Wednesday and is due to join the team the following day in Miyazaki, where the Hawks are holding spring training.
Penny, once reputed to have one of the best fastballs in the majors, went 11-11 with a 5.30 ERA in 31 starts for the AL Central champion Detroit Tigers last season.
He struck out 74 in 181⅔ innings, the most he has thrown since 2007.
Over his 11-year career with five other teams, Penny has a 119-99 record and a 4.23 ERA. The Oklahoma native won as many as 16 games in a season, in 2006 and 2007 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.