After signing a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres in November, right-handed relief pitcher José Espada has decided to opt out of the contract and sign in the Nippon Professional Baseball League.

After non-tendering the righty pitcher in mid-November, the Padres decided to bring him back on a minor league deal. The 27-year-old will now take his talents overseas and join the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

Espada initially signed with the Friars in July 2022 and played for the High-A team, the Fort Wayne TinCaps. In 2023, he played for the Double-A San Antonio Missions and the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, where he collected a 2.81 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 83.1 innings pitched.

Espada made his major league debut in September 2023 and only appeared in one game. Now, he will surely get plenty of opportunities overseas.

It remains to be seen if Espada attempts to return to the Majors, but at just 26 years old, he has plenty of time to make that happen.

For now, though, he’ll look to impress in Japan.