Irabu tells Japanese team he will be free agent again

TOKYO -- Hanshin Tigers pitcher Hideki Irabu told the team Friday he intends to become a free agent.

Irabu pitched for the New York Yankees, Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers before returning to Japan this season. He went 13-8, helping Hanshin to its first Central League title in 18 years.

The 34-year-old right-hander went 9-2 with a league-leading 2.52 ERA before the All-Star break but struggled in the second half and lost Games 2 and 6 of the Japan Series, won by the Pacific League's Daiei Hawks in seven games.

Irabu pitched for the Chiba Lotte Marines before signing a $12.8 million, four-year contract with the Yankees in 1997.

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