Texas Rangers sign Japanese pitcher Tateyama

ARLINGTON, UNITED STATES // Yoshinori Tateyama, the Japanese free-agent pitcher, has agreed to a one-year contract with the American League champion Texas Rangers that includes club options for 2012 and 2013.

A sidearm thrower who turns 35 on December 26, Tateyama is aiming to pitch in the United States for the first time.

General manager Jon Daniels said Tateyama's deal is for a split contract with a lower salary while in the minor leagues.

"We have a good feel for what he is, a quality relief pitcher who can throw the ball over the plate," Daniels said. "He will have a chance to win a spot in the bullpen and help us during the season ... Let's not make it any more or less than that."

Daniels said there were other teams interested in Tateyama, which is why he is getting a guaranteed contract.

"We felt it was worthwhile," he said.

Tateyama has spent his entire career (1999-10) with the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League. Primarily a reliever, he has a 3.43 ERA in 438 appearances.

In 58 games last season, Tateyama had a career-low 1.80 ERA. He was 1-2 with four saves and held opposing hitters to a .213 average. He struck out 59 and walked 11.

Daniels said Tateyama was recommended by the same group of scouts that last winter advised the return of Colby Lewis, the 1999 Rangers amateur draft pick who had pitched in Japan the previous two seasons.

"He turned out to be a pretty good acquisition," Daniels said. "When these guys speak up, I tend to listen."

Lewis was 12-13 with a 3.72 in 32 regular-season starts, then went 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in four post-season starts for the Rangers.