The Chicago Cubs have designated first baseman Bryan LaHair for assignment, the team announced.
LaHair, an All-Star last season, is expected to sign with Fukuoka of the Japanese League. In turn, the Cubs are expected to get $950,000, ESPN reported.
In his first major-league season at age 30, LaHair batted .286 with 14 home runs and 30 RBI before the All-Star break but slumped in the second half of the season and lost the first-base job to Anthony Rizzo.