Nikkan Sports reports that Hisanori Takahashi will sign a contract with the Yokohama BayStars.

Takahashi's major league career got off to a promising start, but he really struggled over the last two seasons, putting up a 5.57 ERA over 54 appearances. The 38-year-old figures to stay back in Japan for good.

Hisanori Takahashi has elected free agency.

Takahashi spent most of 2013 at Triple-A with the Cubs and Rockies, putting up a 4.25 ERA over 38 appearances. He'll have to settle for a minor league contract.

Rockies acquired LHP Hisanori Takahashi from the Cubs for a player to be named later; assigned him to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Takahashi, 38, will provide organizational depth in the minors. He appeared in three games with the Cubs earlier this season and has a 1.98 ERA at the Triple-A level.

Cubs sent LHP Hisanori Takahashi outright to Triple-A Iowa.

The 38-year-old lefty was designated for assignment on Tuesday and passed through waivers with ease. He will now act as organizational relief depth for Chicago.

Cubs designated LHP Hisanori Takahashi for assignment.

Takahashi allowed two earned runs in three innings with the Cubs. The 38-year-old may draw interest on waivers.

Cubs purchased the contract of LHP Hisanori Takahashi from Triple-A Iowa.

He made the Opening Day bullpen after posting a 4.39 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 18 1/3 frames this spring. Takahashi will work in middle relief.

Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan reports that Hisanori Takahashi has signed a minor league deal with the Cubs.

He'll receive an invitation to spring training. Takahashi posted a 5.52 ERA in 51 games for the Angels and Pirates this past season, but he had a terrific K/BB ratio and boasts a 3.97 ERA and 1.27 WHIP for his career. He should have a good shot to earn a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

Pirates released LHP Hisanori Takahashi.

Takahashi was slated to become a free agent, anyway, so the Pirates are merely clearing a spot on the 40-man roster a little early. The left-hander will now seek employment elsewhere after putting up a 5.54 ERA over 51 appearances for the Angels and Pirates this season.

Angels optioned LHP Hisanori Takahashi to Triple-A Salt Lake.

It's the second time he's been sent down in the last month. Takahashi, who has put up 4.93 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 42 games, will return next month.

Angels recalled LHP Hisanori Takahashi from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Takahashi was demoted to the Triple-A level on Saturday but spent less than three days in the minor leagues. He will return to his middle relief role in Anaheim.

Hisanori Takahashi returned to action on Saturday June 23.

Hisanori Takahashi left Friday's game with stiffness in his hip.

Takahashi tossed a scoreless sixth inning, but tweaked his hip during warm-up pitches before the seventh. The severity of the injury isn't yet known, but the Angels will likely provide more information after the game.

Hisanori Takahashi has allowed 10 hits and seven runs over his 7 2/3 innings this season.

Takahashi struggled for the first couple months for the Angels last year, as well, before settling in to have a nice year. We suspect the 37-year-old will eventually figure things out.

Hisanori Takahashi is expected to be moved from the bullpen into the starting rotation.

He'll replace Joel Pineiro, who has been demoted to a relief role. Takahashi has made all 43 appearances this season as a reliever, and he's had a fine year, posting a 3.35 ERA and 1.26 WHIP to go along with a 40/19 K/BB ratio over 48 1/3 innings. He did throw 2 2/3 innings in his last appearance, but his pitch count still figures to be limited when he takes the mound Wednesday against the Yankees.

Hisanori Takahashi has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in his first 16 appearance with the Angels.

It hasn't gone well so far for the offseason signee, as he's allowed 20 hits -- including four home runs -- while walking seven over 15 innings. The Angels signed Takahashi because of his versatility, but he's not going to appear in anything but mop-up duty until he improves.

Hisanori Takahashi's two-year contract with the Angels is actually for $8 million, not the $5.5 million as originally reported.

That's a hefty chunk of change for a guy who is likely to serve as a long reliever. Takahashi pitched well in a swing role with the Mets in 2010, but he'll be 36 at the beginning of next season, and we can't imagine he'll contribute enough to earn his contract.

Angels signed LHP Hisanori Takahashi to a two-year contract.

Takahashi, 35, posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 122 innings for the Mets this year, acting as both a starter and reliever. He also struck out 114 batters and walked only 43. The Angels may ask him to make a couple of starts next year, but they'll use him primarily in long relief.

SI.com's Jon Heyman has confirmed that the Angels have a contract agreement in place with left-hander Hisanori Takahashi.

The deal is only pending a physical. Takahashi, 35, posted a solid 3.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 122 innings for the Mets this past year, serving as both a starter and reliever. He is probably going to serve as a long reliever in Anaheim, rendering him borderline useless in fantasy leagues.

The Mets cannot attempt to re-sign Hisanori Takahashi until May 15.

In other words, he won't be returning to the club next year. Takahashi's contract had a clause that required the Mets to re-up with him before the winter. They declined to do so and he is now a free agent. The 35-year-old should draw offers after posting a 3.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 122 innings in 2010.

The Reds claimed Hisanori Takahashi off waivers last week but the right-hander refused the claim and is now a free agent.

Takahashi passed through waivers after the Mets were unable to work out a deal with him during their exclusive negotiating window. He's now free to sign with any team and should draw a number of decent offers. The 35-year-old posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 122 innings this year for the Mets, serving as both a starter and reliever. He's open to either role for 2011.