Hideki

Okajima

“While I didn’t think I would be able to play baseball this year, Softbank was the first team that I heard from,” Okajima said. “There is pressure, but I want to show off what I did in America.” Okajima failed a physical with the Yankees in February and was subsequently released. The 36-year-old lefty posted a 3.11 ERA over 261 career major league relief appearances but spent most of 2011 at Triple-A Pawtucket.

It’s being reported by a couple other outlets, a well. Assuming it’s true, his contract with the Yankees would be voided and he’d become a free agent. It’s not clear what ailment caused Okajima to fail. The 36-year-old lefty reportedly was considering retirement before he caught on with the Yanks, so perhaps that will be an option for him again.

An undisclosed injury caused Okajima to fail his physical, so he won’t get a dime from the Bombers and is now free to sign with another team. The 36-year-old lefty reportedly was considering retirement earlier this offseason, so perhaps he’ll just decide to call it quits. He owns a 3.11 ERA over 261 career relief appearances but spent most of 2011 at Triple-A.

The deal also includes an invite to spring training. Okajima, 36, only made seven appearances with the Red Sox this past season before spending the rest of the year in the minors, but he could still have some value as a left-handed specialist. The veteran southpaw owns a 3.11 ERA over 261 career relief appearances.

The story was passed along by Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker. Okajima, 36, was demoted by the Red Sox in late-May after posting a 4.32 ERA over seven appearances, but he had a 2.29 ERA and 48/9 K/BB ratio in 51 innings with Triple-A Pawtucket. The veteran southpaw has struggled in each of the last two seasons, but holds an impressive 3.11 ERA in the majors.

Okajima, 36, was unscored upon in his first 46 appearances for the Softbank Hawks in Japan this season before allowing three runs in a game last week. The left-hander’s previous tenure in the big leagues ended with a whimper, but he put up a 3.11 ERA over 261 career appearances, so someone should be willing to give him a shot if he indeed does want to return to the states.

Okajima, 37, had a 2.16 ERA and 18/2 K/BB ratio over 16 2/3 innings in Triple-A. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2011 as a member of the Red Sox.

The move clears a spot for right-hander Dan Otero on the active roster. Okajima joined the Athletics’ bullpen about a month ago, but made just five appearances.

The deal will be finalized once the left-hander completes a physical, which isn’t a guarantee given that he failed one with the Yankees last winter. Okajima hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2011, when he posted a 4.32 ERA over seven relief appearances. The 37-year-old is coming off a stellar year for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, though, as he compiled a 0.94 ERA over 47 2/3 innings.

It presumably would be a minor league deal. Okajima hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2011, when he posted a 4.32 ERA over seven relief appearances. The 37-year-old is coming off a stellar year for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, as he compiled a 0.94 ERA over 47 2/3 innings.