The Seibu Lions have posted left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to the major leagues, the Pacific League champions announced Monday.
Kikuchi, 27, applied to Nippon Professional Baseball, and the league in turn informed Major League Baseball, according to the team. He needed his club's approval to move via the posting system as he will not be eligible for international free agency until 2020.
"I have only gratitude to Seibu for approving the posting," Kikuchi said. "I want to focus on what I can do in order to get a solid outcome."