Minor Leaguer Seratelli to play in Japan in 2015

NEW YORK -- Anthony Seratelli, the infielder who attempted to become a 31-year-old rookie for the Mets last season, has signed on to play for the Seibu Lions in Japan. Seratelli announced the signing via Twitter.

A New Jersey native and longtime member of the Royals' organization, Seratelli signed with the Mets last winter but lost out to Omar Quintanilla for a backup middle infield job.

Seratelli stuck in Triple-A Las Vegas the whole summer, batting .279 with five homers, eight steals and a .799 OPS, but did not earn a big league promotion. Seratelli became a free agent after the season.

In Japan, Seratelli will play for former teammate Daisuke Matsuzaka's old team in Seibu. Matsuzaka recently returned to Japan, as well, to play for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.

"It was an exciting year playing for a hometown team with the [Mets]," Seratelli wrote on Twitter. "I wish I could've played in New York for everyone to see but I guess it just wasn't in the cards. So I will be moving on with my biggest adventure this game has yet to offer me and getting back to my roots in my grandmother's native land of Japan!!"