A day after former Yakult Swallows closer Tony Barnette announced his retirement, the Central League club announced on Thursday he would begin working for the club in an advisory capacity.

The Hochi Shimbun reported Barnette will join the Swallows spring training camp in Urasoe, Okinawa Prefecture, from Feb. 6 to Feb. 19. The 36-year-old Barnette twice led the CL in saves during his time in Japan from 2010 to 2015.

Barnette is the second former player hired in a role to help enrich the Swallows’ overseas efforts following last year’s agreement with former Yakult outfielder Aaron Guiel.

My interviews with Barnette and pitching coach Tomohito Ito, whom he credited with helping him achieve success in Japan, is available HERE for jballallen.com subscribers.