The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks have acquired 26-year-old minor league right-hander Terry Doyle, the team said Thursday.
Although Doyle has an excellent track record in the minor leagues, the Chicago Tribune reported on Wednesday that the Chicago White Sox agreed to release him so that he could pursue a career in Japan.
At 193 cm and 113 kg, Doyle's signature since he was drafted in the 37th round by the White Sox in 2008 has been his control. Primarily a starting pitcher, Doyle was 6-3 this season with a 3.94 ERA for Charlotte in his first year at the Triple-A level.
"It's about whether he can adjust to Japan," Hawks manager Koji Akiyama said. "Batters here will take pitches that batters over there swing at. You never know whether a pitcher can get used to that or not."