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Ross Ohlendorf signs with Yakult Swallows

Ross Ohlendorf will be pitching for Yakult Swallows in Japan in 2017. Signs for guaranteed $1.6M with 400K in reachable incentives.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 27, 2016

Ross Ohlendorf, a whipping boy for many Cincinnati fans, will take his distinctive windup and pitching motion to Tokyo, Japan, where he’ll play for the Yakult Swallows in 2017. Looks like a great deal for Ohlendorf — up to $2 million, whereas it’s unlikely he would have been able to secure a major league deal in the states for next season (although it’s almost guaranteed that he would have been given a non-roster invitation to spring training for some team, possibly Cincinnati).