FUKUOKA, Japan - Free-agent pitcher Vicente Padilla has signed with The Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League.
The 35-year-old right-hander, who was 4-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 56 relief appearances for the Boston Red Sox last season, agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract with the Hawks, Kyodo news agency reported Thursday.
Padilla, born in Nicaragua, was a major league All-Star in 2002 with the Philadelphia Phillies when he went 14-11 with a 3.28 ERA.
He has also pitched for the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks during a 14-year big league career, going 108-91 with a 4.32 ERA.
The Hawks also signed former Chicago Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair to a $4.5 million, two-year contract in November.
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