Okajima Fails Physical

From Bryan Hoch:

Hideki Okajima failed his physical and will not report to Spring Training with the Yankees.

Okajima, 36, had signed a Minor League contract with a spring invitation in late December, hoping to bounce back to the effective form he showed in his first few seasons with the Red Sox.

WFAN 660 AM’s Sweeny Murti first reported that Okajima would not be in camp.

Well, so much for that.

Yanks Sign Okajima

From Anthony McCarron:

The Yankees have agreed to a minor-league contract with former Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima, according to multiple reports. Okajima, who turned 36 on Christmas Day, will be invited to spring training and could compete for a spot in the Yankee bullpen as a second left-hander alongside Boone Logan.

Okajima, who came to the majors from Japan before the 2007 season, has held lefties to a .218 average, .277 on-base percentage and .323 slugging percentage over five seasons. He was an all-star as a rookie with the Red Sox when he was 3-2 with a 2.22 ERA and five saves.

There's not much to be happy about regarding this signing. After three solid seasons to start his career in the States, Okajima has faded a bit, going just 5-4 with a 4.47 ERA over 63 appearances in 2010 and 2011. Last year he spent most of the year in Triple-A. His batting average against vs. lefties has also gotten worse with each passing season.