Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reports that Kenshin Kawakami has reached an agreement with the Chunichi Dragons and a deal should be announced soon. The report was translated by NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman. Kawakami dealt with shoulder issues with the Braves this past season and wound up posting an 8.86 ERA over 18 games in the minors. Obviously, the three-year, $23 million deal he signed prior to the 2009 campaign didn't work out so well for Atlanta.

Braves general manager Frank Wren said Tuesday that Kenshin Kawakami is having more shoulder problems with Double-A Mississippi. Kawakami missed nearly two months earlier this season with a right shoulder strain and is now sidelined with is being termed "shoulder irritation." The Japanese right-hander has an ugly 7.20 ERA across six starts and four relief appearances at the Double-A level this season. He's currently in the final year of a three-year, $23 million contract.