The Yomiuri Giants have signed former New York Yankees right-hander Jonathan Albaladejo to a one-year, ¥80 million contract, the Central League team announced Friday.
The 28-year-old Albaladejo, who won five games in 32 appearances in 2009 for the Bronx Bombers, was released by the Yankees last week so the reliever could sign with the Giants.
Albaladejo picked up 43 saves in the International League this year, but manager Tatsunori Hara sees the 195-cm, 118-kg Puerto Rican pitching in a variety of roles next season.
"We envision him as a reliever, but he could start," Hara said. "His role will all depend on the situation of the team."
Albaladejo came at the strong recommendations of the Yankees, team representative Hidetoshi Kiyotake said.
"The Yankees recommended him to us," Kiyotake said. "He's a big guy who throws hard with the control to miss bats. He's a serious, hardworking player."