The website Hardball Times is reporting that infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who walked away from the third year of his contract with the Twins, has agreed to terms with the Hanshin Tigers.

Here is a link to the Hardball Times report.

And here's what the news looks like on the Japanese web site Sanspo.com

The Tigers are in fifth place among the six teams in Japan's Central League -- 19 games below .500 and 29 1/2 games out of first place.

Before coming to the United States, Nishioka played eight seasons for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan.