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Ex-Yankee Hiroki Kuroda just became Japan's richest player

When Hiroki Kuroda pitched his last game for the Yankees in 2014, it wasn't clear whether he'd play again — in America or even his native Japan.

But now it's official: He'll be back in 2016, and for the more money than any Japanese player is making right now.

According to the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez, Kuroda will make $4.9 million next season to return to the Hiroshima Carp, giving him the league's richest annual salary.

Kuroda made about $3.17 million last season with Hiroshima.

The amount represents a huge pay cut, however, from his Major League Baseball days.