The Royals are close to signing right-hander Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year deal with a player option for a third year, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.
With Hitoki Iwase staying in Japan, Yabuta took over as the No. 2 Japanese reliever available behind Masahide Kobayashi. The 34-year-old had a 2.80 ERA and a 147/49 K/BB ratio in 174 1/3 innings the last three years.
-rotoworld