Ken Rosenthal on Fox Sports reports that the Royals are close to signing Japanese pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta.

The deal is a two-year contract with a player option for a third season, according to major-league source
Yabuta was 4-6 last season with a 2.73 ERA and four saves in 58 games.

Yabuta struck out Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon and Derrek Lee in a second-round game against Team USA in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

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