Right-hander Toru Murata has agreed to re-sign a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians, an informed source said Tuesday.
The 30-year-old, who joined Indians' Single-A affiliate Kinston in 2011, made his major league debut for the Indians this season against the Baltimore Orioles on June 28, pitching 3⅓ innings and allowing five runs, three earned, in an 8-0 loss.
The starter was sent back to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers after the loss but posted a league-high 15 wins with four losses and a 2.90 ERA in 164⅓ innings.
Murata was picked in the first round of the 2007 Japanese draft by the Yomiuri Giants but never pitched for the first team in three years before getting released.