Japanese pitcher Kawakami a free agent, open to MLB

NAGOYA, Japan -- Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami will exercise his right to become a free agent, opening the door for a possible move to the U.S. major leagues.

"I want to see how other teams evaluate me," Kawakami said at a press conference Saturday. "For the past five or six years, I became interested in seeing if I can play in the majors."

The 33-year-old right-hander spent his entire career with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League, posting a record of 112 wins against 72 losses over 11 seasons.

In 2004, Kawakami won the Sawamura Award, Japan's version of the Cy Young Award for league's best pitcher.

He was 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 20 games this season for the Dragons.