Baltimore, MD –  The Baltimore Orioles have signed pitcher Yin Chen to a three-year contract with a club option for the 2015 season.

Chen, a 26-year-old lefty, will be the first Taiwanese pitcher in Orioles history. He spent the past four seasons pitching in Japan and posted a record of 36-30 with a 2.48 earned run average in 117 games, including 88 starts, for the Chunichi Dragons.

"I am extremely excited about this opportunity to challenge the Major Leagues and begin the next chapter of my professional baseball career," said Chen in a statement from the Orioles. "I am thankful for the support of my family, my fans, the Chunichi Dragons and Baltimore Orioles organizations which allowed me to continue to pursue my dream. I will do my best to help the Orioles to the championship."

Chen, who led the Central League with a 1.54 ERA in 2009, also pitched for the Chinese Taipei national team in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.