Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who was released at the end of the 2012 season by the New York Yankees' Triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, has decided to return to Japanese baseball next year, informed sources told Kyodo News on Friday.

Fukudome, 35, is already in talks with the Yokohama BayStars and the Hanshin Tigers, and his agent has said Fukudome has abandoned the idea of continuing his career in the major leagues.

BayStars general manager Shigeru Takada said his team is prepared to meet with Fukudome several times if necessary to negotiate a contract. "It starts now. But it will need a little more time," Takada said.