NEW YORK — Kei Igawa became the latest Japanese pitcher put up for bid to major league teams.

The Hanshin Tigers made Igawa available for posting Friday, and big league clubs have until 5 p.m. EST on Nov. 27 to submit offers for the right to negotiate a contract with the 27-year-old left-hander.

If his Japanese club accepts the highest bid by Dec. 1, the big league team that made it would then have 30 days to reach a deal with him.

Igawa went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA in Japan. He struck out 194 to tie for the Central League lead, adding to the strikeout titles he won in 2002 and 2004.

Igawa's career mark is 86-60 with a 3.15 ERA. He would have had to play in Japan for three more seasons before he could become a free agent.