The Korea Baseball Organization announced on Wednesday that Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball has requested a status check on Samsung Lions' closer Oh Seung-hwa n.

The KBO notified the Japanese that Oh still officially plays for Samsung Lions and that the team is willing to negotiate a transfer deal.

The Hanshin Tigers in the NPB's Central League are believed to be interested in acquiring Oh. Japan's Sports Hochi reported that the two sides are close to hammering out a deal.

