The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters have acquired 29-year-old right-hander Mitch Lively from the Washington Nationals on a one-year deal, the Pacific League club announced on Thursday.
The 198-cm, 113-kg Lively, was 0-2 with a 2.31 ERA in 18 games this season for the Nationals' Triple-A Syracuse club. He has no major league experience and his contract is reported to be worth ¥30 million.
The Fighters enter play on Friday leading the Pacific League by a half-game over the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and are expected to employ Lively in middle relief.