Switch-hitting infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka met on Monday for the first time with officials from the Chiba Lotte Marines. Nishioka played his first eight pro seasons with Lotte before going to the majors in 2011.
After two lackluster seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization, the 28-year-old Nishioka walked away from the third year of his contract in order to return to Japan. He was due to receive $3.25 million from the Twins in 2013.
The Marines posted Nishioka after a 2010 campaign in which he became the first shortstop to lead his league in batting average and win a Golden Glove in the same season. That year, Lotte became the first team to finish third in its league and reach the Japan Series, which it won.