Brad Eldred, a late scratch from Monday night's Toledo lineup, might be on his way to Japan.
A Monday report on Japan's Daily Sports Online said that the Hiroshima Toyo Carp had begun negotiations with the Tigers about Detroit's power-hitting Triple-A first baseman.
Eldred was saying goodbye to his teammates after Monday's game, but couldn't confirm that Japan was his next stop.
"I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say anything," he said. "What's going on is probably better for me and my family, so that's the way it has got to be. Obviously, I'm going to do what's best for them."
Eldred and Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin both said an announcement would be made on Tuesday.
The Carp are in fifth place in the Central League, 9 1/2 games behind the Chunichi Dragons, and have struggled to find a consistent home-run hitter.
Eldred, who has been tearing up the International League with Toledo, is hitting .305 with with 24 homers and 65 RBIs in 63 games. He did get one brief call-up to the Tigers in late April, hitting .188 in five games.
"It's been great here," he said. "I couldn't really ask for a lot more. Obviously, getting more opportunity, or whatever what you want to call it, is kind of what is going on now."
The 31-year-old got his only extended major-league shot in 2005, when he hit .221 in 55 games with Pittsburgh.
When the Tigers were desperate for a right-handed hitter last week, they called up Ryan Raburn. When asked about Eldred, Jim Leyland said that was "a story for another day."
Apparently, that day might be coming soon.
