USA TODAY International Edition
Veteran Penny heads for Japan
Pitcher signs with Softbank Hawks
The Softbank Hawks of Japan’s Pacific League signed veteran major league pitcher Brad Penny to a one- year contract.
Financial terms were not released, but Fox Sports reports the deal is worth $ 4 million, with another $ 3.5 million possible in performance bonuses, and is the largest given to an American pitcher in his first contract with a Japanese team.
Penny went 11- 11 with a 5.30 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 31 games for the Detroit Tigers last season. He has a 119- 99 record and a 4.23 ERA over a 12- year major league career that included stints with the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.
Seattle shores up bullpen:
The Seattle Mariners have agreed to a oneyear, $ 750,000 contract with Shawn Camp and a one- year, $ 500,000 deal with Hong- Chih Kuo in an attempt to add bullpen depth.
Kuo was an All- Star in 2010 with the Dodgers but struggled last season with a back problem early in the season and missed a month with anxiety disorder. During his standout 2010 season, Kuo was 3- 2 with 12 saves in 13 chances and a 1.20 ERA.
Camp led the Toronto Blue Jays with 67 appearances last year and was 6- 3 with a 4.21 ERA. The right- hander has appeared in 432 games, all in relief, with the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays and Blue Jays. Nationals sign Ankiel, Teahen: The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with outfielder Rick Ankiel and infielder- outfielder Mark Teahen on minor league contracts that include invitations to spring training.
If added to the 40- man roster, Ankiel, 32, would get a one- year, $ 1.25 million deal and could make $ 1.5 million in performance bonuses. He batted .239 with nine home runs and 37 RBI in 122 games last season with Washington.
Cora to Cardinals:
Light- hitting infielder Alex Cora has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cardinals and would get an $ 800,000 deal if added to the 40- man roster.
The 36- year- old played all four infield positions last season for the Nationals while appearing in 91 games and making 16 starts at third base. He hit .224 with six doubles in 156 at- bats.