Lastings Milledge Signs With Yakult Swallows Of Japan's Central League

After six seasons stateside in major league baseball, Lastings Milledge is going abroad.

The former Mets, Nationals, Pirates and White Sox outfielder agreed to terms today with the Yakult Swallows of the Central League in Tokyo, Japan, according to a report from the Japanese newspaper Sanspo. The deal is worth approximately $570,000 plus performance bonuses and includes a club option for 2013.

Milledge broke into the major leagues in 2006 and was originally seen as the future of the Mets' franchise after being selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2003 draft. He enjoyed a rapid rise to the major leagues and was the youngest player in the National League in '06, at age 21.

Milledge was traded to Washington in 2007 and then to Pittsburgh in '09. He signed with the White Sox as a free agent in February 2011 and played just two games this past season, going 1-for-4 with a double all year. He spent most of the season in Triple-A, batting .293 for the Charlotte Knights.