Yakult Swallows right-hander Kevin Hodges will not re-sign with the Central League team for next season, club officials said Monday.

Hodges won the pitching leaders title along with Koji Uehara of the Yomiuri Giants when he posted a record of 17 wins against eight losses in 2002.

This season, however, the former Seattle Mariners pitcher was demoted to the farm team after an unimpressive 5-9 record with a 5.93 ERA.

Jingu adds security for Tigers games

With the Hanshin Tigers just three days away from possibly claiming their first league championship in 18 years, security will be on high alert for a three-game series against the Yakult Swallows at Jingu Stadium.

About 400 security personnel -- the most ever -- will be on hand at Jingu for the series starting Tuesday in the event the Tigers, whose magic number is now 5, sweep the Swallows to gain a Japan Series berth by Thursday.