Report: Fukudome will play in major leagues

NAGOYA, Japan -- Japanese free agent outfielder Kosuke Fukudome has decided not to move to the Yomiuri Giants and will sign with a major-league team instead, the Nikkansports newspaper reported Sunday.

Fukudome had previously indicated the Giants would be the only Japanese team he would consider playing for next season, but he has now ruled them out, opening the way for a move to the major leagues.

Fukudome has drawn interest from the Cubs, the San Diego Padres and the White Sox.

The 30-year-old Fukudome is regarded as one of the best outfielders in Japanese pro baseball. He was a key member of the Japan team that won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March 2006.

He had surgery on his right elbow in August and sat out the Japan Series, but has 192 homers and a .305 batting average over nine seasons with the Chunichi Dragons, who won their first championship in 53 years on Nov. 2.