Major League Baseball

Source: Yankees re-sign Kuroda

Published Nov. 20, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

The New York Yankees took their first step toward restocking their rotation Tuesday, re-signing free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year, $15 million contract, according to a major-league source.

Kuroda, 37, chose to stay with the Yankees rather than return to Japan, where he wants to finish his career, sources said.

He gave less consideration to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox, all of whom were reported to have interest.

The Yankees, who also are trying to re-sign free-agent left-hander Andy Pettitte in addition to free-agent closer Mariano Rivera, wanted Kuroda to remain their No. 2 starter behind lefty CC Sabathia.

Righties Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova and David Phelps currently are the other candidates for the Yankees' rotation.

Kuroda went 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA in 33 starts last season, his fifth in the majors and first in the American League after he spent four years with the Dodgers.

He turned down the Yankees' qualifying offer of $13.1 million, which would have enabled the team to gain a draft pick if he had signed with another club.

A number of teams backed off on Kuroda, unwilling to give up a top pick for an older pitcher.

ESPN.com first reported the signing.

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