Royals negotiating with Japanese reliever

? With the help of new manager Trey Hillman’s experience and contacts, the Kansas City Royals are negotiating a multiyear deal with reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta.

Yabuta, a 34-year-old right-hander, pitched the last 12 years for the Chiba Lotte Marines, a Pacific-League team managed by Bobby Valentine. Hillman spent the past five seasons managing the Nippon Ham Fighters.

“Having Trey’s expertise in the Japanese market is certainly very helpful to us,” Royals assistant general manager Dean Taylor said.

Yabuta was 4-6 last season with a 2.73 ERA and four saves in 58 games.