Hideki Okajima Fails Physical With Yankees

Relief pitcher Hideki Okajima failed his physical with the New York Yankees on Friday and likely won't be joining the team going forward, according to David Waldstein of the New York Times. The Yankees signed Okajima to a minor league deal earlier in the offseason but it appears that his stint with the Yankees will be short lived.

Under the assumption that the deal between Okajima and the Yankees is voided because of the physical, he'll return to the free agent market. Obviously that return will come with significant questions about his health, which certainly doesn't help a guy that already struggled during the 2011 season.

Okajima, now 36, made just seven appearances with the Boston Red Sox in 2011, posting a 4.32 ERA over eight innings. He spent most of the year in Triple-A, posting a 2.29 ERA in 51 innings with 48 strikeouts and just nine walks. In the Japanese pitcher's first three years with the Red Sox, Okajima posted a 2.72 ERA over 192 innings.