Japanese pitcher Kuroda joins Yankees

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda throws to an Atlanta Braves batter in the sixth inning of MLB baseball action in Atlanta, Georgia, August 13, 2010.

(Reuters) - Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda has signed a one-year deal with the New York Yankees after the free agent parted company with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees said Thursday.

The right-hander, who went 13-16 with a 3.07 ERA in 32 starts for the Dodgers last season, had agreed to a $10 million deal, New York officials said.

Kuroda, who turns 37 next month, has a 41-16 record in Major League Baseball since joining the Dodgers in 2008 and had also been linked with the Boston Red Sox.

"I feel happy to be part of such a storied franchise which is always in contention for a World Series," the player said in a statement released by the Yankees.

Along with new signing Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners, Kuroda is set to slot behind CC Sabathia in a revamped Yankees rotation.

Ivan Nova is also expected to open the season in the rotation, with Phil Hughes, A.J. Burnett and Freddy Garcia battling for the fifth and final spot.

Kuroda could make an additional $1 million in performance-related bonuses, if he pitched 200 innings, the Yankees said.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer in Tokyo; Editing by John O'Brien)