Update 12/17 13:46: Met’s website says that the team has reached an agreement with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi.

Update 12/16 20:16: Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post Tweets:  A team source confirms the Mets have an agreement with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi.

Update 16:40PST: According to this Japanese website, a Major League Baseball official said, ““the Red Sox are interested in moving Igarashi”.  The translation is a little sketchy, but it also appears that Igarashi is currently training the same facility that Daisuke Matsuzaka is.  Igarashi told reporters that he received an offer from a team he wanted to play for, according to NPB Tracker. Nikkan Sports speculates that he’s received at least four offers already, so we are assuming that there are 2 other mystery teams in addition to the Red Sox and Mets that want Igarashi.

The New York Times reports that the Mets are close to signing Ryota Igarashi, a Japanese pitcher, to a two-year deal.  Igarashi, 30, pitched for the Yakult Swallows in the Japanese Central League since 1999 and was scouted heavily this year by many major league teams, including the Mets, the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Mariners and the Indians.

In addition to Kelvim Escobar, who the Mets offered a minor league contract on Monday, Igarashi will be used as Francisco Rodriguez’ setup man – a job that J.J. Putz was intended for before he went down to injury.  You can see Putz statistics here.

Last season Igarashi was 3-2 with a 3.19 earned run average in 56 games. Other than 2004, when he had 37 saves and a 2.66 E.R.A., he has not been the Swallows’ primary closer, but he has excelled in the set-up role.