Jeremy Powell looks set to finally join the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks after acting Japanese baseball commissioner Yasuchika Negoro all but ended a long-running contract row between Softbank and the Orix Buffaloes on Wednesday.
In a meeting with Pacific League chief Tadao Koike, Negoro said the two clubs must restart negotiations with the former Yomiuri Giants pitcher.
The move means Powell is unlikely to return to the negotiation table with Orix as he has already expressed a desire to join Softbank, which has offered a more lucrative deal.