First-year import Jonny Gomes has returned to the United States to attend to his family's needs, the Pacific League's Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles announced Tuesday.

Gomes was deactivated on Friday and no timetable has been announced for his return. The 35-year-old was batting .169 with one home run in 18 games for the Eagles.

Hiroshi Abei, the team's director, said, "Because it's his family, it was necessary to permit it. We haven't imposed any time limits on him."