He was a free-agent

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Japanese free-agent pitcher Yoshinori
Tateyama has agreed to a one-year contract with the AL champion
Texas Rangers that includes club options for each of the two
seasons after that.

Tateyama, a sidearm thrower who turns 35 on Dec. 26, is looking
to pitch in the United States for the first time.

Texas announced the signing Tuesday.

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.


(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)