Around the NPB Horn: Matsunaka set for knee surgery on 10/23
by Gen on Oct.22, 2009 @ 5:49 am, under NPB
Chiba Lotte Marines
...Tasuku Hashimoto earned his FA option on 10/7 and isn't ready to start talking about it yet.
Hanshin Tigers
...Fall camp for the younger players began today (10/21) at Koshien Stadium. Practice centered around base running and BP / bunt drills and lasted about 3 and a half hours.
Hiroshima Carp
...The team is obviously aware that Ken Takahashi was released by the Mets. To that end, it seems as though they'll take a wait-and-see approach with regards to whether or not they'll reach out to him.
Seibu Lions
...Takeya Nakamura was quoted as saying the following on Wednesday:
"No more batting practice. I need to practice more on my defense. I want to build up my lower body by working on my defense more."
Softbank Hawks
...The Hawks announced that Nobuhiko Matsunaka will undergo knee surgery on 10/23.
Yakult Swallows
...Shigeru Takada presented his 2009 season report to Sumiya Hori (team owner) at the Yakult offices today (10/21).
"We somehow managed to grab onto third place to get into the Climax Series and the team turned in a solid effort during the series." said Hori.
Takada said, "The goal [for next season] won't change. We'll focus on trying to get into second or better bring the Climax Series to Jingu Stadium."
...Jamie D'Antona, Aaron Guiel, and Hye-Chun Lee all returned to their prospective countries on Wednesday.
Assuming D'Antona is healthy next year, the Swallows will likely sign re-sign him. Guiel will likely be re-signed. Lee will be in the second year of a 2-year contract.
Other
...Could it be Nagoya Dome? Central League ump Masanobu Sasaki was diagnosed with the swine flu earlier today (10/21). Sasaki was the home plate ump during game 1, left field ump during game 2, and the second base ump during game 3.
