The Yokohama BayStars on Saturday announced the signing of American southpaw Duane Below from the New York Mets organization.
The 29-year-old was 4-3 this year for Triple-A Las Vegas with a 2.19 ERA in 49-1/3 innings. He started five of his 11 games. The 191-cm, 100-kg Below, who pitched part of the 2013 season in South Korea, reportedly agreed to a ¥30 million contract that runs through the end of the season pending a successful physical.
"I'd like to use him quickly. I'm counting on him," said BayStars manager Kiyoshi Nakahata, who has been looking to reinforce his starting rotation with a left-hander.
Below has pitched in 43 major league games with a 2-4 record for the Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins between 2011 and 2013, with a 4.27 ERA.