Right-handers Miguel Socolovich and Brandon Dickson will pitch in Japan next season. The Kyodo News reports that Socolovich has an agreement in place with the Hiroshima Carp while B.J. Rains of FOXSportsMidwest.com says (on Twitter) the Cardinals will soon remove Dickson from their 40-man roster so he can sign with the Orix Buffaloes.
Socolovich, 26, allowed 11 runs in 16 1/3 innings for the Orioles and Cubs this season, his big league debut. Chicago claimed him off waivers from Baltimore after they designated him for assignment in August. Socolovich pitched to a 2.11 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 55 1/3 relief innings in Triple-A this season. He became a minor league free agent after the Cubs outrighted him at the end of the year.
Dickson, 28, has allowed ten runs in 14 2/3 career innings with the Cardinals over the last two seasons. He posted a 3.63 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 in 23 starts and 141 1/3 innings in Triple-A this year, his third consecutive season at the level.
