(Translated, JP news outlet via Jiji.com, Sponichi.com, and the Carp’s official team site.)

This just in, Cincinnati Reds Major leaguer (now former), right-hander Steve Delabar, 32 years of age, just signed with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, a Central league team in Japan… an announcement was made just today. The announced contract was said to be on a one-year deal worth at an estimated 40 million Yen (387,500 USD) with additional performance incentives included… Delabar will wear the jersey number 70, and will still be used primarily as a reliever this season (though, for him to have a spot start in the teams’ rotation is still a possibility).

Back in June 22nd, the Cincinnati Reds minor league affiliate, Triple-A Louisville Bats, placed Steve Delabar on the temporarily inactive-list, but was eventually released for him to have an opportunity to play overseas.

Armed with a power-fastball (reaching the upper, or mid-90’s) and also a variety of breaking pitches, said to have attracted the Hiroshima Toyo Carp team in the NPB… and, have also said to have watched some of his footage when he was still playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, indicating that some interest was already present there in the 32 year-old right-hander for quite some time.

With a total of 6 years at the Major league level under his belt, playing for a total of 3 different organizations (Blue Jays, Mariners, and with the Reds), he recorded 15 wins and 9 losses, while having an ERA of 4.07 in 194.2 innings pitched (190 games overall) in that span. Delabar finished his 2016 minor league campaign with the Reds compiling an ERA of 6.75 in 8 innings pitched (7 games total), and a record of 0-0 this season.