The Tokyo Yakult Swallows said Monday they had acquired 203-cm right-handed reliever Logan Ondrusek on a one-year deal.
The 29-year-old Ondrusek went 21-11 with two saves over five seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. He has a career 3.89 ERA over 270⅔ innings.
Ondrusek was non-tendered by the Reds in December, effectively making him a free agent.
Ondrusek's deal is estimated at $1.2 million (roughly ¥140 million) with a club option for 2016. With a fastball that exceeds 150 kph and a variety of breaking pitches, Ondrusek is a candidate to close this coming season for new manager Mitsuru Manaka.
Masayuki Okumura, the Swallows' deputy international director, said, "With (relievers Tony) Barnette and (Orlando) Roman, we'll have three guys at the back of the bullpen who will be hard to come from behind against."