Chang-yong

Lim

The financials of the deal aren’t known. Lim is recovering from Tommy John surgery and won’t be ready to begin his career with the Cubs until the latter part of 2013, at the earliest. The 36-year-old reliever posted a 2.09 ERA while striking out 231 in 233 innings over the last five years in Japan.

Lim told a Korean news service on Wednesday that his contract with the Cubs could be worth up to $5 million, but Mooney’s source calls that an overstatement. The right-handed reliever had Tommy John surgery in July, so he won’t be ready to begin his professional career in the United States until the latter part of 2013. In other words, there’s no rush to get everything finalized.

Lim says the deal could be worth up to $5 million, depending on how much time he spends in the majors. The 36-year-old right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in July and isn’t expected to contribute until 2014. Lim posted a 2.09 ERA while striking out 231 over 233 innings over the last five years in Japan. “The Cubs expect to see me back on the field in 2014, rather than next year,” Lim said. “Once the deal is signed, I will move to Arizona, where the Cubs operate a rehab center. My goal is to continue to rehab and get back on the mound by mid to late season next year.”

The 37-year-old reliever coming off Tommy John surgery signed a minor league contract with the Cubs back in December. He posted a 2.09 ERA while striking out 231 in 233 innings over the last five years in Japan, and boasts a 1.61 ERA over 21 appearances on the farm this season.

Lim pitched in six games down the stretch for the Cubbies. The 37-year-old will be free to seek a contract elsewhere on the open market.

The Cubs non-tendered the Korean reliever in December but have now brought him back. Lim, 37, pitched in six games for the Cubbies last season and held a 1.61 ERA in 21 games in the minors. He’ll provide depth at Triple-A.

Lim wasn’t given much of a shot this spring, allowing two runs over his four innings pitched. He’s headed back to Korea to sign with the Samsung Lions.