PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies today claimed Hideo Nomo off waivers, giving them five days to convince the former National League Rookie of the Year to stay.

The Milwaukee Brewers placed Nomo on unconditional release waivers on Tuesday after he reportedly turned down a two-year, $8.5 million deal with a club option for a third season. Under major league rules, Nomo has until Tuesday to accept the assignment or elect for free agency.

"Hideo Nomo had a solid season for the Brewers in 1999," general manager Ed Wade said. "We are looking to add depth and quality to our rotation, and if he decides to accept our assignment, he could be an asset to us in 2000."

The Japanese righthander led the Brewers in wins and was 12-8 with a 4.54 ERA in 28 starts. He went to spring training with the New York Mets and spent time in the Chicago Cubs system before signing a minor league deal with the pitching-starved Brewers on April 29.

Nomo started strongly for Milwaukee, winning nine of his first 11 decisions. But he was not as effective down the stretch, winning just one of his last six starts.

Nomo, 31, was released by the Mets late in spring training and signed with the Cubs two days after clearing waivers. He pitched three times for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and exercised his right to be released rather than remain in the minors.

After winning 43 games in his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Nomo slipped drastically in 1998 and was traded to the Mets. He was 4-5 with a 5.04 ERA in 16 games for New York.

Nomo starred in the Japanese League for five years and burst onto the major league scene with a bang, winning Rookie of the Year honors for the Dodgers in 1995 after going 13-6 with a 2.54 ERA in 28 starts. He struck out 236 in 191 1/3 innings and allowed only 124 hits. Nomo was the starting pitcher for the NL in the All-Star Game.

The following season, Nomo finished fourth in Cy Young Award voting after going 16-11 with 234 strikeouts and a 3.19 ERA in 33 starts. On September 17, 1996, he pitched the only no-hitter in the history of hitter-friendly Coors Field, stopping the Colorado Rockies, 9-0.

In 1997, Nomo went 14-12 with a 4.25 ERA as hitters began to figure out his mysterious delivery. For his career, he is 61-49 with a 3.82 ERA.