The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles have signed outfielder O'Koyea Dickson, the club announced Tuesday.
The 27-year-old Dickson, a 180-cm, 100-kg, right-handed hitter, hit 24 home runs in his 116 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this year. He also appeared in seven games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, making his major league debut.
Dickson underwent left shoulder surgery in October following a season in which he batted .246 while striking out 97 times in 403 at-bats — an unusually high rate for him.
Team director Hiroshi Abei said Rakuten decide to offer Dickson a contract after examining his medical information.
"We saw the results of his physical, and we determined that his rehab is on track," Abei said. "We're not acquiring him just to compete for playing time with the other foreign players, but to increase our offensive options as we aim to win the pennant."