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Nikkkan Sports mentions that the Eagles are currently carrying three catchers: Motohiro Shima, Tadashi Ishimine, and Keiji Oyama.  As of now, there does not appear to be a clear-cut number two catcher.

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The Eagles are taking it easy with Kazuo Matsui and may decide to leave him off the opening day roster if he lower back is still giving him problems.

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Masahiro Tanaka could end up pitching against the Chunichi Dragons on Saturday.