NEW YORK (Kyodo) The Arizona Diamondbacks have released infielder Jamie D'Antona so that he can sign a contract with the Yakult Swallows, the major league club said Monday.
Swallows president Tadashi Suzuki admitted Tuesday in Japan that the Central League club is negotiating a deal with D'Antona, who made his major league debut on July 22.
The 26-year-old spent most of the 2008 season at Triple-A Tucson, hitting .365 with 21 home runs and 79 RBIs in 110 games. In 18 games for the D-Backs, he batted .176 with no homers and one RBI.