Slugging infielder Tomohiro Nioka, the MVP of the 2002 Japan Series for the Yomiuri Giants, is set to retire, a Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters source said Wednesday.
Nioka, the Giants' No. 2 pick in the 1998 draft, was traded to Nippon Ham following the 2008 season and played the last five years there. He batted .071 in 36 games this season and was informed in October that his services would not be needed for 2014.
The 37-year-old played 1,457 games with a .282 career batting average. He hit 173 home runs, scored 571 runs and drove in 622.