Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Cleveland Indians are close to agreeing to a contract with Japanese relief pitcher Masahide Kobayashi. He is taking his physical for the team today.

Kobayashi, 33, has spent his entire nine-year career with the Chiba Lotte Marines, the team managed Bobby Valentine, formerly of the Mets. He has averaged 31 saves the past seven seasons.

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