TOKYO -- Former major leaguer Hideki Irabu has agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League, Kyodo News reported Saturday.

The 33-year-old Irabu was released by the Texas Rangers last month. Used primarily as a reliever with Texas, Irabu was 3-8 with a 5.74 ERA and a team-high 16 saves.

Irabu was hospitalized with chest pains in mid-July and missed the final 2½ months of the season after being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs.