Red Sox sign Japanese reliever

BOSTON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Hideki Okajima, a left-handed Japanese relief pitcher, has signed with the Boston Red Sox, the club announced Thursday.

The contract is for two years with a third year option. Terms were not disclosed.

The signing could help Boston in its quest for ace Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Boston Herald said. The Sox reportedly have offered Matsuzaka $7 million to $8 million a year, about half of what he was seeking.

Okajima, who will turn 31 on Christmas, is a 12-year veteran of Nippon Professional Baseball usually as a setup man in the bull pen. He played 11 years for the Yomiuri Giants and last season for the Nippon Ham Fighters.

Okajima went 2-2 with a career-best 2.14 ERA in 55 appearances for the Ham Fighters. In his career, he is 34-32 with a 3.36 ERA.