The Hanshin Tigers have acquired right-hander Marcos Mateo, the Central League club announced Thursday.

The 188-cm Dominican, has signed a one-year deal for ¥75 million ($638,000). He was 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in 26 games for the San Diego Padres last season.

Mateo could be in line for the closer's role at Hanshin, after the club ended negotiations with Oh Seung-hwan last month. The South Korean finished with the most saves in the CL for two successive years with the Tigers, but was questioned by the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office over illegal betting.

"I'm relieved the deal has been sealed. I'm counting on him," Hanshin manager Tomoaki Kanemoto said of Mateo.

Mateo, who also pitched for the Chicago Cubs in 2010 and 2011, has a 2-4 career record with a 4.65 ERA in 70 major league games.