Chunichi Dragons

Kazuki Yoshimi (left hamstring) threw sixty-five pitches in the bullpen on Friday in preparation for his start on Sunday against the Orix Buffaloes.  That will put him in line for a start against the Hanshin Tigers on June 26.  Source: Nikkan Sports 6/16/2012

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Morimichi Takagi held full squad practices on Friday.  It was the first time this season he scheduled workouts on a travel day.  Source: Sponichi 6/16/2012

Yakult Swallows

The Swallows could start the trio of Katsuki Akagawa, Kyohei Muranaka, and Masanori Ishikawa during a three game series against the Yomiuri Giants that begins on June 22.  Source: Sanspo 6/16/2012

Yomiuri Giants

Michihiro Ogasawara will be used as a bat off the bench when he first returns to the active roster.  Source: Daily Sports 6/16/2012

Ogasawara was added to the active roster earlier today and made it into tonight's game as a pinch-hitter in the top of the 7th (ground out to short) and took over at first in the bottom of the inning.  His RBI ground out to second in the top of the 9th gave the Giants a 10-1 lead.

Hanshin Tigers

Akihito Fujii is currently scheduled to play in his first rehab game on June 19 -- Ikusei game vs Kansai Independent League mixed team.  Fujii told reporters he ultimately hopes to make it back to the active roster on June 22.  Source: Sanspo 6/16/2012

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Coming into Saturday, Craig Brazell was 14-for-43 with four homers and ten RBI in eleven games against Lotte; and 9-for-23 with four homers and seven RBI against Lotte on the road.  (Stats only include numbers after Brazell joined Hanshin)  Source: Sanspo 6/16/2012

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US-based scout Andy Sheets visited QVC Marine today.  Sheets will be in Japan for about a week.

"[Sheets] has visited Japan in quote some time.  The ball has changed and baseball in Japan has changed so we wanted him to get a look.  This has been on the schedule for a while now," said an unnamed team rep.

Source: Daily Sports 6/16/2012

Sponichi notes that Sheets may have been called in to help Matt Murton.

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Hiroaki Saiuchi was ejected from a Ni-gun game against Chunichi today after throwing a dangerous pitch at Shigeo Yanagida in the 1st inning with a runner on first and third and one out.  Source: Daily Sports 6/16/2012

Hiroshima Carp

The Carp still do not know when Dennis Sarfate will return to the team -- he returned to the US to be with his wife (she is not feeling well).  Source: Sports Hochi Osaka 6/16/2012