TOKYO (AP) — Kazuo Matsui has returned to Japan and joined the Rakuten Eagles after spending seven seasons in the major leagues.
The Eagles said Thursday they reached an agreement with the 35-year-old infielder, who played for the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies and Houston Astros from 2004-10.
The switch-hitting Matsui was waived by the Astros in May and finished the year in the minors.
Matsui, who helped the Rockies reach the 2007 World Series, batted .267 with 615 hits and 102 stolen bases in the majors. He played in only 27 games for Houston this season, hitting .141.
