(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-11 16:57

NEW YORK - Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome is attracting interest from several U.S. teams, Major League Baseball (MLB) said on Monday.

The 30-year-old outfielder has turned down a four-year, $30 million deal from the Yomiuri Giants and is evaluating offers from the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, according to the league's official Web site (www.mlb.com).

An injury to his right elbow sidelined Fukudome's season with the Chunichi Dragons after he sparkled in 2006 by belting 31 homers, driving in 104 runs and batting a career-high .351.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers told the San Diego Union-Tribune he expected to learn soon whether Fukudome would accept their multi-year offer.

Fukudome, a career .305 hitter over nine seasons with the Dragons, averaged 29 homers a season from 2003 to 2006.