The Tokyo Yakult Swallows acquired right-hander Ross Ohlendorf on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, the Central League club announced Tuesday.
The 34-year-old, who pitched in 64 games for the Cincinnati Reds this season, relies on a good fastball and sinker and has a high strikeout rate.
Ohlendorf is scheduled to join his new team in mid-February, after his wife gives birth. He is expected to replace Kyle Davies, whose departure was announced also Tuesday after going 4-5 this year, in Yakult's starting rotation.
"He is a full-time major leaguer," Masayuki Okumura, the Swallows' international scouting director, said of Ohlendorf, who has a 30-41 record with a 4.82 ERA in 209 games. "Our target was to add a power pitcher in the rotation."