According to Nikkansports.com (via Alex Speier of WEEI), the Boston Red Sox are close to signing left-handed pitcher Itsuki Shoda to a Minor League contract.

General manager, Theo Epstein, confirmed in the article that the deal is near completion and the pitcher is expected to report on time to the team’s Minor League camp.

The 29-year-old went 9-11 with a  3.45 ERA when he won the 2002 Pacific League Rookie of the Year award in Japan.  He eventually made his way to Taiwan to play professional baseball.