The Orix Buffaloes of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball announced Wednesday that Sparkman signed with the club.

The Twins released Sparkman on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

The Twins reassigned Sparkman to their alternate training site Thursday.

Sparkman (forearm) reached a minor-league deal with the Twins on Thursday as a non-roster invitee, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Sparkman (forearm) was released by Kansas City on Monday.

Sparkman (forearm) was designated for assignment by the Royals on Friday.

Sparkman (forearm) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Sparkman was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a strained right forearm.

Sparkman, whose velocity ticked up to 96-97 mph in relief this spring, was on track to make the big-league bullpen when camp was suspended, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Sparkman allowed two runs on five hits and a walk in five innings Saturday against the Twins, striking out four. He did not factor into the decision.