From Japan to Boston

Scott Atchison, a Timber Rattler in 1999, has been in Japan for the last two seasons. He has pitched well enough for the Hanshin Tigers that the Boston Red Sox have signed him.

The Red Sox made a signing on Day 1 of the Winter Meetings, if not the splashy one their ravenous fan base was waiting for.

In a move that could give manager Terry Francona another option in the bullpen, Boston signed right-hander Scott Atchison to a one-year deal Monday, with two club options for 2011 and '12.
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During his two seasons in Hanshin, Atchison sported a combined 2.77 ERA while striking out 81 and walking 20 in 194 2/3 innings.