According to Nikkan Sports, the Eagles could inform Akinori Iwamura (33) today that he is no longer a part of the team's plans for the 2013 season. Iwamura believes he can still play and will continue his training as he waits for another offer.  Source: Nikkan Sports 10/7/2012

UPDATE @ 10:53pm - The Eagles announced today that they will not offer Iwamura a contract for the 2013 season.  Source: official announcement

UPDATE @ 11:32pm - Iwamura will wait for domestic offers.  He may also consider heading back to the US.  Source: Daily Sports 10/7/2012

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The Buffaloes informed  Cha-Seung Baek (32) on Friday that he is not a part of the team's plans for the 2013 season.  An official announcement has yet to be made.  Source: Nikkan Sports 10/6/2012

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Dae-Ho Lee spent some time signing about 100 autographs after practices today.

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Yoshihisa Hirano cut his bullpen short today because of a blister on his right middle finger.

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Mamoru Kishida also cut his practices short today because of tightness in his lower back.  He did not go to the hospital and instead returned to the player hotel to rest.  Kishida is essentially considered day-to-day.

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Keiji Obiki worked on turning double plays as a second baseman during fielding practice today and also received some tips from Akinobu Okada.

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Cha-Seung Baek is actually working through some right elbow tightness.

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1st round draft pick Ryoichi Adachi started his rehab workouts (fracture in his right thumb) on Thursday.  Adachi had surgery on his thumb in Kobe and returned to Miyakojima on Wednesday.

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Workouts a Kochi Tobu Baseball Stadium began today.  A ceremony took before practices and the team was presented with a number of local food items, like buntan (citrus fruit) and melon.

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Things do not look good for Cha-Seung Baek, at least in terms of making the active roster.  After throwing ninety-four pitches during his last outing, Baek was shut down until today.  Said Akinobu Okada, "Baek probably will not pitch again while we are in Kochi."

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Buffaloes officials told reporters today that fans that purchase tickets to their game on April 28 should be able to simply stick around and catch Becky's concert after the game (in other words, they should not have to pay an additional fee).

Team official also said that they are the first pro yakyu team to hold a concert after a baseball game.

Dae-Ho Lee weighed in at 130kg during morning weigh-ins on Wednesday.

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Akinobu Okada told reporters on Wednesday that Lee currently had the lead over Takahiro Okada for the clean-up spot in the line-up.

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There was a drop in media from Korea.  Last year thirteen members of the media from six different companies covered the first day of spring camp in Miyakojima.  This year, there were only eight from four companies.

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Additional Updates (2/3 @ 1:01am)

The Buffaloes modified their practice schedule on Thursday because of the rain.

Nikkan Sports is reporting that the Buffaloes signed 31-year-old Cha-Seung Baek to a contract on Sunday.  Orix will likely announce the deal within the next couple of days.  Baek is expected to undergo a medical exam today before heading back to Korea to continue his off-season training.

UPDATE @ 6:55pm - Sanspo is reporting that it's a 1-year deal worth a total 40M yen.

Sports Hochi reports that the Orix Buffaloes are working on a 1-year deal with 31-year-old Cha-Seung Baek and that a formal deal could be signed within the next few days.  The agreement will also probably contain a club option for a second year.

The Buffaloes are also:

• thinking about offering Kei Igawa a multi-year deal to entice him to sign.
• could go strong after 29-year-old INF Kenta Kurihara, if he decides to exercise his FA option.
• and are interested in signing 29-year-old INF Dae-Ho Lee, so much so that they're also thinking about having Akinobu Okada meet Lee in person during negotiations.

The media learned on Wednesday that the Orix Buffaloes will be giving 31-year-old RHP Cha-Seung Baek a tryout during fall camp (beginning on the 6th).

Career Stats