The Baltimore Orioles have agreed in principle on a two-year contract with Japanese righthander Koji Uehara.

Uehara, who turns 34 in April, spent his entire career with the Yomiuri Giants.

Baltimore likely will use the 6-1, 190-pounder as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter. Currently, Jeremy Guthrie is the only starter firmly entrenched in Baltimore's rotation.

A starter for most of his career, Uehara was moved to closer in 2007. He returned to the rotation in 2008 and went 6-5 with one save and a 3.81 ERA in 26 games.

Uehara won both the Central League's Rookie of the Year Award in 1999 and the Sawamura Award for Japan's best pitcher. He won the Sawamura Award again in 2002.

Uehara also starred in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, winning two games for the champion Japanese team.