Nakajima (wrist) signed a three-year deal with the Orix Buffaloes of Japan, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

Nakajima had worked his way up to the Triple-A level in 2014, but is a career .252 minor league hitter. The Buffaloes will pay him nearly $4 million per season, so it likely wasn't a tough decision for the Japan-native to head overseas. His 2014 season was cut short due to a fractured wrist, but he expects to be healthy heading into the upcoming season.

Nakajima suffered a fractured wrist in Double-A Midland's postseason game Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season.

The fact that Nakajima was even playing in this game and not with the Athletics demonstrates what a colossal bust he's been since coming over from Japan in December 2012 on a two-year, $6.5 million contract. With his offensive numbers barely translating to the Texas League, much less the majors, expect the 32-year-old Nakajima to return to Japan next season.

Hiroyuki Nakajima was demoted Wednesday from Triple-A Sacramento to Double-A Midland.

Nakajima, who signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with Oakland in 2012, was batting just .128/.222/.179 in 45 plate appearances this season at Triple-A. The 31-year-old infielder can safely be labeled a bust.

Athletics sent INF Hiroyuki Nakajima outright to Triple-A Sacramento.

Nakajima is now off the A's 40-man roster. He batted just .283/.331/.367 last season in the Pacific Coast League and is doubtful to reach the majors in 2014.

Athletics added SS Hiroyuki Nakajima to the 40-man roster.

Nakajima, 31, will remain at Triple-A Sacramento, but he needed to be added to the 40-man roster so the team could designate Michael Taylor for assignment. The shortstop could garner a call-up if the A's need a utility infielder this summer.

Athletics optioned INF Hiroyuki Nakajima to Triple-A Sacramento.

The 31-year-old shortstop only saw seven plate appearances in Cactus League action, going 2-for-6 with a walk and three runs scored. He'll play multiple positions with the River Cats in an effort to improve his versatility, potentially leading to a call-up as a utility player later in the season.

A's manager Bob Melvin said Hiroyuki Nakajima will be used at multiple positions around the diamond next year.

Melvin mentioned that an increase in versatility could help Nakajima's chances of sticking with the big league squad. Nakajima slashed .283/.331/.367 at the Triple-A level last season. The 31-year-old has never played a game with the A's.

Athletics outrighted INF Hiroyuki Nakajima, removing him from the 40-man roster.

Nakajima, who is currently at Triple-A Sacramento, is hitting .282/.336/.368 with four homers, 26 RBI and three stolen bases in 75 games. The 31-year-old shortstop was expected to open the season as the A's starting shortstop, but poor performance in the spring and a hamstring injury proved very difficult to overcome.

Hiroyuki Nakajima has upped his batting average at Triple-A Sacramento to .317.

A's manager Bob Melvin said he's gotten good reports on the infielder, as well. "We're starting to see the player we envisioned," Melvin said. "There aren't any pending moves, but he's certainly putting himself in position."

Athletics activated SS Hiroyuki Nakajima from the 15-day disabled list; optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento.

Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) is expected to be added to the major league roster when his 20-day rehab window expires on Wednesday.

Nakajima is batting just .250 with a .313 on-base percentage at Triple-A Sacramento, but he's made strides defensively and has also showed he can play second and third base. His role with the big club figures to be limited.

Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) received a day off on his rehab assignment on Saturday, and is now expected to play in each of the next three games with Triple-A Sacramento.

Nakajima has appeared in four games thus far with Sacramento, going 3-for-15 (.200) with a double and a pair of RBI. He's expected to need a lengthy rehab assignment before joining the Athletics, and isn't a lock to receive significant playing time once he is activated.

Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) will resume his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

Nakajima was shut down after feeling tightness in his hamstring on Friday, but it turned out to be a minor setback. The A's will keep Nakajima on the farm through at least the weekend, and likely through next week. He won't be assuming a starting job in Oakland whenever he's finally activated.

Hiroyuki Nakajima was held out of a rehab game with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday after feeling a little tightness in his left hamstring during his first game Friday.

It's not clear how long it will set him back, but obviously it's not a positive development. Nakajima was already expected to have a lengthy rehab assignment before the setback.

Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) went 2-for-4 with an RBI in his first minor league rehab game with Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

Nakajima also made an error in the contest. He has been working his way back from a left hamstring strain sustained during spring training. All signs point to a lengthy rehab assignment, perhaps using the maximum 20 days, before being activated by the A's.

Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Sacramento.

Nakajima began the year on the disabled list due to a left hamstring strain and has been playing in extended spring training over the past couple of weeks. The 30-year-old was really struggling prior to the injury, so the A's want to see him have some success before adding him the active roster. He could stay in the minors for the maximum 20 days.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) is nearing a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento.

Nakajima has been dealing with a strained left hamstring since late in spring training. He's played in some extended spring training games and is now ready to test out the hamstring at the Triple-A level. The Japanese import is likely to serve as a backup infielder once he's ready to join the major league club.

Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) will report to extended spring training on Monday.

Nakajima was placed on the disabled list before the regular season due to a strained left hamstring. The A's plan to get him work at shortstop in Arizona, but he's likely to serve as a backup infielder once he's ready to join the big club.

Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) won't begin a rehab assignment until the Athletics' next homestand, which begins on April 25.

That means he probably won't be activated until early May. Nakajima will be used in a backup role once he's healthy.

Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) still needs to show he can run the bases before he's cleared to begin a rehab assignment.

"If he runs the bases this weekend, then maybe we're closer with him as well," Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Monday. "You have good days and bad days, and there are days he hasn't felt great." Nakajima will be used in a backup role once he's healthy.