Report: Japanese star Yoshida to join MLB free agency

Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida will be posted Wednesday by the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Yoshida now has 45 days to sign a contract with a major-league team.

There is reportedly significant interest in the 29-year-old after he slashed .335/.447/.551 with 21 home runs and 89 RBIs over 121 games last season.

The New York Yankees have been connected to Yoshida throughout the offseason.