Hayato Sakamoto ended workouts early today after he started feeling tightness in his lower back during warm-ups.  It does not appear to be serious.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/25/2013

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The opening day starting rotation will likely be: Ryosuke Miyaguni, 1st round draft pick Tomoyuki Sugano, Tetsuya Utsumi, Hirokazu Sawamura, Toshiya Sugiuchi, and Dennis Houlton.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/25/2013

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Hisayoshi Chono showed up for early batting practice on Sunday and also worked with Tatsunori Hara on his swing.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/25/2013

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Taishi Ota and Itaru Hashimoto will likely make the opening day Ichi-gun roster.  Shigeyuki Furuki, Yoshitomo Tani, and Satoshi Fukuda will likely begin the year at Ni-gun.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/25/2013, Sponichi 3/25/2013

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Former chief trainer Hirohisa Hagiwara died of lung cancer at 8:56am on Saturday.  He was sixty-eight.  Hagiwara was a part of the organization between 1978 and 2005.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/25/2013

Shuichi Murata did not play in Thursday's exhibition game against Yokohama because he was not feeling well (fever).  His flu test came back negative.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/21/2013

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Ryosuke Miyaguni will likely get the opening day start.  If he does, at twenty years and eleven months, he will be the second youngest pitcher in franchise history to start the first game of the year.  The youngest: Masumi Kuwata in 1988 at twenty years and zero months.

Source: Daily Sports 3/21/2013, Sanspo 3/21/2013

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1st round draft pick Tomoyuki Sugano is scheduled to start an exhibition game against Rakuten on the 23rd.  Assuming the same pitching schedule, he could make his first regular season start on the 30th against Hiroshima.

If Sugano makes the start, he will become the first rookie pitcher in franchise history since the introduction of the draft in 1965 to make their first start within the team's first two games of the season.  Koji Uehara (1999), Hiroshi Kisanuki (2003), and Hirokazu Sawamura (2011) hold the current record with starts within the team's first three games of the season.

Before 1965: Yoshiaki Ito (1959) and Kunio Jonouchi (1962) both got opening day starts in their first years.

Source: Sponichi 3/21/2013

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Kyosuke Takagi will begin the year as a reliever.

Source: Sanspo 3/21/2013

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Hayato Sakamoto and Shinnosuke Abe worked out at Giants Stadium on Thursday for the first time since returning from the WBC.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/21/2013, Nikkan Sports 3/21/2013

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Toshiya Sugiuchi threw sixty-one pitches in the bullpen at Giants Stadium on Thursday.  He could pitch in an exhibition game against Rakuten on either the 23rd or 24th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/21/2013

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Hirokazu Sawamura threw thirty-seven pitches to a standing catcher in the bullpen at Giants Stadium on Thursday.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/21/2013

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Kabuki actor Tojuro Sakata will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on the 29th.  Ski jumper Sara Takanashi will throw out the first pitch on the 30th.

Source: Nikkan Sports 3/21/2013

Tomoyuki Sugano held a press conference at the Tokai University grounds in Hiratsuka today and spoke to reporters about his current feelings on the upcoming draft.

Some quotes...

Sugano on the possibility of being selected by a team other than the team he wants to sign with:

"I can only pray that does not happen."

Sugano on his year away from organized baseball:

"It felt short.  I was able to get things done. ... My end goal is not [draft day].  There is a lot to come after that.  I need to do what is necessary to make sure the path I selected ends up being the right one."

Tokai manager Hitoki Yokoi on what Sugano might do if selected by a team other than Yomiuri:

"[Sugano] will probably head overseas, maybe enroll in a study abroad program.  I do not think he will be in Japan."

Source: Sponichi 10/16/2012, Daily Sports 10/16/2012

And Nippon Ham Fighters' GM Masao Yamada told reporters today that the organization will not select Sugano again because:

"We like to select the best overall player [with out first pick].  If you consider the year he spent away from baseball, he can not be the best player available."

Source: Nikkan Sports 10/16/2012

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UPDATE 10/17 @ 2:51am - Sanspo has posted the Q&A from the press conference:

What are you current thoughts?

The only thing I can do is do what I can and wait.

How was this past year?

It felt short.  There were times it felt long, but all kinds of people helped me through it.  The 25th is not my final goal.  There is a lot to do after that.  However, I do think that day will be very important.

Did you experience any difficulties?

It was the first time I was in a place where I did not have any real peers.  I could not really speak up about it at the time, but I think that may have been a difficult adjustment.

Did you experience any growth?

I was able to see baseball from all kinds of different perspectives.  I was able to think about pitching and organize my thoughts on what baseball is.

Has you view of life changed?

I wanted to make something of my time so I tried to pass things I noticed to the younger players.  It made me think about wanting to become a coach at some point in the future.

Do you feel you made the right decision?

I struggled when making up my mind and was not sure what the right decision was back then.  I need to move forward in such a way that makes the path I took the right choice.

Do you still feel the same way about the team you would like to sign with?

Yes.

What will you do if you are selected by some other team?

I can only pray that does not happen.

Source: Sanspo 10/16/2012

Masayuki Naito, Baseball Federation of Japan' Secretary General, told reporters on Thursday that they will not consider players that do not belong on University or Industrial League teams for the national team that will be competing at the Asian Baseball Championships.  Since Tomoyuki Sugano does not officially belong to either, it most likely means he will be skipped over.

Sponichi has posted the following comments from Tomoyuki Sugano:

How did you spend the New Year?

I did some things like light running to stay in shape.

Do you feel worried about not being able to play in any games?

I can not really say until I experience, but I am not feeling too worried right now.  I pitched a lot the last four years.  I do not think I will lose the feel for pitching over a 10-month period.

The other two from [last year's] Big Three, Takahiro Fujioka and Yusuke Nomura, all turned pro.

I would like to see them succeed.  I want to join them as soon as possible.  I will do my best to make sure there is not much of a difference between our [skill levels] when I turn pro.

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Tokai University manager Hitoki Yokoi plans to provide Sugano with whatever support he can, like taking him to spring camp in Okinawa, allowing him to pitch during situational BP and intra-squad games, and whenever else possible.  There is also chance he might be selected to play in the World University Baseball Championship in July and the Asian Baseball Championship in August, but that will largely depend on whether or not the amateur organizations are ok with giving a player that passed on the draft a chance to play on the international stage.

And Hideki Kuriyama told reporters on Saturday that he still wanted Sugano to join the Nippon Ham Fighters, but that if things did not work out, he wished him a long and prosperous career.  The Fighters have until 3/31 to negotiate with Sugano.

Tomoyuki Sugano held a baseball clinic for kids in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa today.

Regarding 2012, Sugano has decided not to graduate from Tokai University and will continue to workout with the university baseball team.  He also does not have any plans to head overseas for workouts -- he will do what he can with the help/support from people in Japan.

A couple of organizations are thinking about reaching out to Tomoyuki Sugano with opportunities to practice/play.

• The collegiate national baseball team is thinking about inviting him as a practice player at some point before the World University Baseball Championship in July 2012.  He could also technically be named to their roster, but the All Japan University Baseball Federation is not 100% on board with the idea.
• The Baseball Federation of Japan is considering him as a candidate for the national team that will be competing in the Asian Baseball Championship in August 2012.

Tomoyuki Sugano's father spoke to reporters on Tuesday and stressed that his son did not have any plans to sit down with the Nippon Ham Fighters again.

"We treat him like an adult," said Sugano's father.  "If this is the decision he made after thoughtful consideration, we do not plan on getting involved even if [Nippon Ham] contacts us and asks to meet."

He then added, "Tokai University helped him develop over the last four years.  I think it best for him to remain there [the next year]."

A couple of updates on Tomoyuki Sugano from 11/22:

• Nikkan Sports is reporting that a number of teams, including the Chunichi Dragons, have listed Tomoyuki Sugano as a potential 2012 draft prospect.
• Former Yomiuri Giant / baseball analyst Hiromi Makihara expressed concern about Sugano's decision to the take the year off.  "Honestly, I really think it is waste," said Makihara.  "If he were coming out of high school, that is one thing, but he is coming out of college.  Physically, he will be at the age, between 22 and 23, when fat begins to stick.  He will not be able to pitch in any games and the question will be whether or not he can maintain that game mentality."
• Yuki Saito provided reporters with the following comments on Sugano: "I want to play on the same team with him so it is unfortunate.  But it is a decision he made so I do not think it is wrong. ... I hope one day I will be able to pitch against him at a higher level.  Maybe at the Nippon Series..."
• The Japan Student Baseball Association is ok with Sugano using the Tokai University baseball facilities, so long as it is just for regular practices.
• Yomiuri Giants' team rep Atsushi Harasawa's comments on Sugano: "This is not a story I can comment on.  I will not say anything about it.  We also need to consider the other people involved.  It is not our place to say anything."
• Fighter manager Hideki Kuriyama's comments on Sugano: "I will follow along with the team's decision to continue negotiations. ... The team has the right to select players just as the players have a right to turn teams down."

The media learned today that 1st round draft pick Tomoyuki Sugano decided to turn the Nippon Ham Fighters down and called them earlier this morning to inform them of his decision.  Sugano is expected to take the year off and re-enter the draft next year.

UPDATE 11/22 @ 3:06am - Nikkan Sports has posted comments taken from Sugano during the press conference he held later in the day on Monday:

When did you decide?

I made the final decision yesterday.  I spoke a lot with my family and with my manager and had a really tough time deciding and it all came together yesterday.  That is when I spoke to my manager.

Why did you decide not to join [the Fighters]?

After meeting the Nippon Ham Fighters speak, I felt honored [to have been selected].  But, the dream from my youth was stronger than that.  I might end up going in circles, but I want to work hard toward fulfilling my dreams.  I do not think it will be a wasted year.  I think there are more positives than negatives.

Would things have been different if Nippon Ham informed you that they were going to select you?

That I cannot say.

You might have to worry about the same thing next year?

I am not thinking about that right now.

Taking the year off, especially for pitchers, can be difficult.

Yes.  I of course do not think that this will be easy.  I think it will be a difficult road ahead.  If I can overcome that and grow then I can approach next year's draft a better player.

Once again, what are your current thoughts?

I made my decision and I feel refreshed.

Are you thinking about practicing overseas?

I am thinking about using this year to try out a number of things, including how I train.

Did you ever feel like joining the Nippon Ham Fighters?

After meeting with Nippon Ham, I did feel honored that they felt so highly of me.

Did you consider the Industrial league?

That was an option, but it would mean two years.  All kinds of people, including from the university, will help me and I think taking the year off is the best decision for me.  I also see it as a year I can do things freely.  If I feel like training, I can do that.  But it is also a year things can go bad if I do not do things properly.  I want to stand strong and see this through.

And despite getting turned down, the Fighters are not ready to give up on Sugano.  Fighters' rep Toshimasa Shimada told reporters that if they were going to give up so easily, they never would have drafted him in the first place.  GM Masao Yamada provided the following statement to the media via the team:

This morning, we did receive word from Tokai University manager Hitoki Yokoi that there was going to be a press conference, but we have not spoken directly to Tomoyuki Sugano.  At our last meeting, Sugano said he was going to use all of November to think about his decision so we do not consider this his official reply to us.  We do not think negotiations will be easy, but as a team we felt strong when selecting him.  According to the rules, we have negotiating rights with him until March 2012 and until he makes his decision final, we will continue to work hard in our negotiations with him.

Nikkan Sports also notes that there have been 25 first round draft picks that have turned down their teams over the years.  The last player was Tetsuya Utsumi when he turned down Orix in 2000.  Only two players have turned down the Fighters over their history: Shinji Kuroda in 1976 and Ikuo Takayama in 1980.  Suguru Egawa turned down two teams as a first round draft pick: the Hankyu Braves in 1973 (out of high school) and the Crown Lighter Lions in 1977 (out of college).  Two players have taken the year off after turning down a team as a first round draft pick: Egawa in 1977 and Daisuke Motoki in 1989.  Egawa was drafted the Hanshin Tigers in 1978 and then immediately traded to the Yomiuri Giants; and Motoki was selected by the Giants in the first round of the 1990 draft.