The Tokyo Yakult Swallows are looking to acquire former Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers reliever Kyuji Fujikawa, a team source said on Saturday.
"As a starter or a reliever, whichever he (Fujikawa) wishes," the source said.
Fujikawa posted 46 saves to tie the Japanese baseball single-season saves record in 2007 and left the Hanshin Tigers after the 2012 season to join the Cubs as a free agent.
But in two years with the Cubs, he went 1-1 with two saves in 27 appearances and pitched in just two games with the Rangers, who he joined this season.
Fujikawa was removed from the Rangers' 40-man roster in May and was not claimed off waivers.
He refused to go on assignment, opting to become a free agent before joining the Kochi Fighting Dogs, his hometown team, in the Shikoku Island League.
Fujikawa, who had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow two years ago, has played in 562 games in Nippon Professional Baseball and has a 42-25 record with 220 saves.