Free agent closer Kyuji Fujikawa will move from the majors to the Japanese independent leagues, announcing his decision to play for the Kochi Fighting Dogs in the Shikoku Island League Plus on Monday.
Fujikawa, 34, will hold a press conference next week in Kochi. The former Texas Ranger made the announcement on his blog, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family and return to his native Kochi Prefecture.
"I want the children of Kochi, where both my wife and I grew up, to see me pitch and hopefully that will inspire their own dreams one day," Fujikawa said. "Because the kids are the future; they are the ones who can become superstars one day.
"I want to restart my career from the place where it all began, surrounded by the people who supported me and raised me."
According to the Fighting Dogs, Fujikawa has yet to sign a contract and it remains to be seen when he will join the team.
Fujikawa, who had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow two years ago, said he had other offers from major league and Nippon Professional Baseball clubs, but in the end went with his heart.
An All-Star closer with Hanshin, Fujikawa left the Tigers after the 2012 season to sign with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent. But in two years with the Cubs, he went 1-1 with two saves in 27 appearances and pitched in just two games with the Rangers, who he joined this season.
Fujikawa's 46 saves in 2007 with Hanshin are a single-season record in Japan.