Shogo Akiyama has signed with the Hiroshima Carp of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

Shogo Akiyama told The Japan Times on Sunday that he is returning to Japan.

Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Shogo Akiyama will opt out of his minor league contract with the Padres.

Padres signed OF Shogo Akiyama to a minor league contract.