cleveland indians sign kobayashi

Last week, the Cleveland Indians signed a two-year contract with free agent pitcher Masahide Kobayashi of Japan: Tribe lands Japan's Kobayashi.

Kobayashi, who has recorded at least 20 saves in each of the past seven seasons, will move into the back end of Cleveland's bullpen as a setup man for closer Joe Borowski.

He spent the past nine seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines, and is one of just three pitchers in Japanese baseball history with over 200 saves. Just don't confuse him with the other famous Kobayashi. This is not the hot dog guy.