Ace pitcher Hiroki Kuroda re-signed with the Hiroshima Carp on Thursday for an estimated 200 million yen, up from 115 million yen this year, after leading the Central League with 15 wins.
"I'm glad to reach the 200-million mark. It makes me feel I need to pitch very, very responsibly," said Kuroda, who receives the highest salary in team history.
The right-hander was 15-12 with a 3.17 ERA in 29 games, including a league-leading 11 complete games, this year.