The Tokyo Yakult Swallows announced the acquisition of Australian outfielder Mitch Dening for the remainder of the season Tuesday.
Dening played for Niigata Albirex of the independent BC league. He was hitting .270 with one home run and 14 RBIs in 74 at-bats this season.
A member of Australia's 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classic team, Dening's deal is for ¥3.6 million plus incentives.
Through Sunday, the Swallows are fourth in the Central League, 6½ games out of first place. They have been looking for a foreign bat in the middle of the lineup with Wladimir Balentien and Lastings Milledge both out.