Kuroda plans to pitch in Hiroshima for the 2015 season, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports. Kuroda was on a one-year contract with the Yankees in 2014, and went into the offseason as a free agent. The 39-year-old finished the 2014 season with respectable numbers, posting a 3.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 146 strikeouts over 199 innings, but appears to have found no takers at the price he wanted.

Kuroda pitched eight strong innings against Baltimore on Thursday, but did not factor in the decision. He allowed two runs and three hits, striking out nine. Kuroda appeared to have earned his 12th win of the season, but David Robertson gave up three runs in the top of the ninth inning to blow the save. Unlike the 2013 season when Kuroda pitched well early and faded late, it was almost the complete opposite this year, as he had a subpar first half, going 6-6, with a 4.10 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 116.1 innings, before turning things on post All-Star Break. He was especially strong over his last eight starts, sporting a 2.79 ERA, to show that he still has something left in the tank. The veteran righty signed a one-year deal with the Yankees this past offseason, so it remains to be seen where he'll end up in 2015.

Kuroda turned in a solid 6.2 innings Friday night versus the Blue Jays, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits while collecting seven strikeouts en route to his 11th victory of the season. Kuroda continues his recent run of strong work on the mound, as the 39-year-old veteran is now sporting an impressive 2.89 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB ratio across his last 43.2 innings. He will be looking to maintain this form Thursday against the Orioles.

Kuroda tossed seven strong innings in Sunday night, limiting the Orioles to one run on six hits while striking out five. Kuroda bounced back nicely from a lackluster outing this past Tuesday against the Rays in which he surrendered four earned on nine hits over 3.1 frames. Even with that poor performance, the 39-year-old hurler has been in a solid rhythm during his last six starts dating back to August 17. Over this stretch, Kuroda has posted an impressive 2.92 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB ratio across 37 innings. He is slated to be back atop the mound Friday versus the Blue Jays.

Kuroda fell to 10-9 on Tuesday, lasting just 3.1 innings and giving up four earned runs on nine hits in a loss to the Rays. He struck out five and didn't issue a walk. Fresh off one of his best starts of the year against rival Boston, Kuroda laid an egg in what was his shortest outing of the season. Things won't get any easier when his his turn in the Yanks' rotation comes back around, as he's slated to face the first-place Orioles at Camden Yards on Sunday. Kuroda's ERA on the season now sits at 3.91, while his WHIP is 1.18 through 177.1 innings (29 starts).

Kuroda struck out eight and did not issue a walk, while holding the Red Sox to one run on four hits over seven innings to earn his 10th win of the season Wednesday. Pounding the strike zone, Kuroda had little difficulty with the Boston lineup Wednesday, getting ahead of 22 of the 25 batters he faced with a first-pitch strikes. Additionally, Kuroda showed swing-and-miss stuff in this outing, racking up 14 swinging strikes along the way. Kuroda will make two starts next week, first at home against the Rays on Tuesday before a September 14 turn against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

Kuroda pitched seven innings Thursday against Detroit, taking the no-decision after allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four. Kuroda now holds a 3.50 ERA in the second half as he slowly turns around a poor first month of the season that saw his ERA rise all the way to 5.28.

Kuroda struck out six and walked two while giving up two runs on five hits over six innings Saturday to earn his ninth win of the season. Although he fell behind against 14 of the 25 batters he faced, Kuroda avoided significant damage by keeping the ball in the park Saturday. The biggest difference in Kuroda for this season versus a year ago is that he's carrying a 68.3% LOB%, compared to a 75.8% mark last season, which enabled him to post a 3.31 ERA despite a 3.56 FIP. Kuroda will face the Tigers on Thursday in his next scheduled start.

Kuroda allowed four hits and two earned runs in 6.2 innings against Tampa Bay on Sunday. He struck out one and walked one. Kuroda looked much sharper after struggling through 4.2 innings against Cleveland in his last start. The 39-year-old now stands at 8-8 with a 3.97 ERA on the season, with his next assignment scheduled for Saturday at home against the White Sox.

Kuroda will start Sunday against the Rays, Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com reports. Contrary to prior reports, the Yankees will not skip Kuroda's turn in the rotation entirely, and will rather just push him back to oppose Jeremy Hellickson in the finale against Tampa. With Thursday's team off day built in, Kuroda will be afforded two extra days of rest, something the team felt the right-hander needed after he labored through 4.2 innings against the Indians last Sunday.