Yamamoto becomes free agent Tuesday; talks can run through Jan. 4

NEW YORK — Yoshinobu Yamamoto will become a free agent Tuesday and major league teams can sign him through Jan. 4. Nippon Professional Baseball notified Major League Baseball that the 25-year-old right-hander’s club, the Orix Buffaloes, was posting him for availability to MLB teams. MLB notified the 30 teams of the posting Monday and under the agreement between MLB and NPB the negotiating period starts at 6 a.m. Tuesday and extends for up to 45 days. Yamamoto was 16-6 with a 1.21 ERA this season, striking out 169 and walking 28 in 164 innings.