The Cincinnati Reds have signed Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama to a three-year, $21 million contract.
The Reds, who announced the contract Monday, reportedly agreed to the deal with Akiyama last week.
Akiyama, 31, needed to travel from Japan to Cincinnati and take a physical before the Reds announced the deal, according to reports.
Akiyama has played parts of nine seasons for Seibu of the Japanese Pacific League. The left-handed hitting Akiyama batted .303 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs in 143 games for Seibu last season.
Akiyama joins a crowded outfield situation with the Reds, who have young slugger Aristides Aquino, former top prospect Nick Senzel and veterans Jesse Winker and Phillip Ervin.
This article was originally published by Espn.com. Read the original article here.