The Kansas City Royals signed right-handed pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year contract with an option for 2010. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. "Yasuhiko has been one of the best relievers in Japan the last several years," Royals' General Manager Dayton Moore said. "He will be an important veteran arm that will help add stability to the back end of our bullpen." Yabuta, 34, will become just the second Japanese-born player to appear for the Royals, joining Mac Suzuki, who pitched for the Royals from 1999-2002. Yabuta has spent his entire 12-year professional career pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League from 1996-2007. A native of Osaka, Japan, the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is 44-59 with nine saves and a 4.03 ERA in 343 career appearances including 86 starts.