Ryota Igarashi, who spent 10 seasons with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Japan's Central League, was obtained off waivers by the New York Yankees in a Major League Baseball transaction.
The 33-year-old right-handed pitcher spent pre-season training with Pittsburgh but was acquired by Toronto on March 30 before being dropped after two months and picked up by the Yankees.
The Yankees will send him to their top developmental team.
Igarashi allowed four runs in his two major league appearances over one inning for Toronto this season.
Last year, he went 4-1 with a 4.66 earned-run average in 45 relief appearances for the New York Mets. In 2010, Igarashi was 1-1 in 34 relief appearances.
The Yankees moved right-handed pitcher Brad Meyers to the disabled list to make room for Igarashi on their 40-man lineup.