Hisashi Takeda underwent successful season-ending right-knee surgery and will return to action in five months, the Nippon Ham Fighters said Monday.

For the first time in his 13-year career, the 36-year-old right-hander ends a season without throwing a single pitch. He will be discharged from the hospital in two weeks before beginning his rehab program at the Fighters' farm team facility in Kamagaya, Chiba Prefecture.

Before the season, Takeda also had surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee. He has 167 career saves in 522 games for Nippon Ham.