Toshiaki Imae (Lotte) earned his international FA option today with nine years of service time on the active roster.

"It is the middle of the season.  I just need to do my job right now.  For the team," said Imae.

Source: Nikkan Sports 4/25/2013

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Takumi Kuriyama (Seibu) earned his domestic FA option with eight years of service time on the active roster.

"I feel nothing special about it.  [I have a contract] so it is not like I can exercise the option after this season," said Kuriyama.

Kuriyama signed a two-year deal before the start of the current season.

Source: Sponichi 4/25/2013

Toshiaki Imae should be ok to play in Saturday's exhibition game against Chunichi.  Imae missed the team's last two practice games because of discomfort in his lower back.

Source: Sponichi 2/21/2013

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Tsutomu Ito does not want players hanging out with members of the opposing team while at the stadium.

Source: Sponichi 2/21/2013

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Toshiaki Imae (coming back from lower back pain) got permission from the team trainer to return to general workouts on Thursday.

Source: Sanspo 2/6/2013

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Tsutomu Ito worked with Shoitsu Omatsu on his hitting today.

Source: Sanspo 2/6/2013

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Katsuya Kakunaka could become a bat off the bench for Samurai Japan.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/6/2013

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Ichi-gun and Ni-gun camps had the day off today.

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Toshiaki Imae took forty-two swings during indoor batting practice on his day off today.  Imae has been practicing under a different training schedule because he is working through back pain.

"I did not feel any discomfort.  It is getting better every day," said Imae regarding his lower back.

When he rejoins the rest of the team for workouts is still unknown.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/4/2013, Sponichi 2/4/2013

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Naoya Masuda was diagnosed with a collapsed lung on the 31st.  He was re-evaluated today and given a clean bill of health.  Even thought the team had the day off, he did some light running and exercises.  Masuda is hoping to toss a bullpen session during the second block of camp.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/4/2013, Sanspo 2/4/2013

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Masatomo Uematsu threw 100 or more pitches during the first three days of spring camp: 108, 118, and 115.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/4/2013

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The Ni-gun team visited Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots today.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/4/2013

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Toshiaki Imae's lower back started acting up during practices on Friday.  He kept his workouts light today and is hoping to rejoin the team on the 5th (start of the second block of camp).

Source: Sponichi 2/2/2013

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Naoya Masuda was diagnosed with a collapsed lung on Thursday.  He could be back with the team as early as the 5th, depending on how his evaluation goes on the 4th.

Source: Sanspo 2/2/2013

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Tsutomu Ito on 4th round draft pick Shohei Kato:  "He has more power than I thought.  A good miscalculation.  So it seems he has speed and some power."

Source: Sanspo 2/2/2013

Toshiaki Imae told reporters today that he does not plan on exercising his domestic FA option and will remain in Chiba for at least one more year.  With regards to what he plans for after 2013, he said, "I would like to hear what other teams have to say."  Source: Sports Hochi 11/7/2012

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Ryoji Aikawa has decided not to exercise his international FA option and will remain with the Swallows.  He has already informed team.  Aikawa re-earned his option this year with his injury exception days.  Source: Sanspo 11/7/2012

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The Yokohama Bay Stars are planning to reach out to Daisuke Matsuzaka's agent, Scott Boras, within the next few days.  They could be preparing a multi-year deal worth over 600M yen and will be ready to leave it on the table until just before the start of the 2013 season.

Matsuzaka is currently working out in the US.  He told reporters at the end of the current season he never considered returning to Japan in 2013.  For now, he is looking for an MLB team that will use him on a regular basis over the course of a full season (money is secondary to playing time).

Source: Sponichi 11/7/2012

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Hanshin Tigers owner Shinya Sakai on Kyuji Fujikawa: "After all, [Fujikawa] is in the US right now.  We understand he has those feelings."  This was the first time a top-ranking team official admitted that there was a good chance Fujikawa could be leaving for the US.  Source: Sports Hochi 11/7/2012

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Kensuke Tanaka (HAM) will most likely have to settle for a split contract, but that should not be a sticking point for him.  His agent is Alan Nero.  Source: Sponichi 11/7/2012, Sports Hochi 11/7/2012

The Colorado Rockies are reportedly interested in Tanaka.  Source: Sponichi 11/7/2012

Takeshi Hidaka and Hayato Terahara submitted paperwork to the Orix Buffaloes to exercise their options.  Source: Sports Hochi 11/5/2012

The Tigers could offer Hidaka a two-year deal.  Source: Sanspo 11/5/2012

The Hawks are interested in Terahara.  Source: Sponichi 11/5/2012

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Toshiaki Imae (LOT) has not yet decided what he wants to do with his domestic FA option.  He is expected to make a decision soon.  Source: Sanspo 11/5/2012

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Kenta Asakura (CHU) has not yet decided.  Source: Sports Hochi Osaka 11/5/2012

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There may be a gap in between what the Keiichi Hirano wants and what the Hanshin Tigers are willing to give.  Source: Sanspo 11/5/2012

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Kyuji Fujikawa (HAN) is in Los Angeles.  His rep in Japan is expected to submit the necessary international FA option paperwork.  The Angels, Rangers, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks are among teams that are said to be interested in Fujikawa.  Source: Sanspo 11/5/2012, Sponichi 11/5/2012

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Shinjiro Hiyama (international), Yuya Ando (domestic), and Ryo Asai (domestic) will not be exercising their FA options and will remain with the Hanshin Tigers.  Source: Sponichi 11/5/2012

Hanshin Tigers

Hiroki Uemoto fouled a ball ball off his groin area during his second at bat in the 4th inning of today's game against the Hiroshima Carp and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.  Source: Daily Sports 9/30/2012

UPDATE 10/1 @ 12:02am - Uemoto was taken to the hospital as a precaution and diagnosed with a contusion.  Source: Sponichi 9/30/2012

Yokohama Bay Stars

Alex Ramirez hurt his left foot when sliding into second base in the 1st inning of today's game against the Chunichi Dragons.  He remained in the game but was later removed, as a precaution, on defense in the 5th inning.

Said Ramirez, "Pain usually comes later.  I can not really say anything until tomorrow."

Ramirez went 1-for-2 in the game and is currently eight hits away from 2,000.

Source: Sponichi 9/30/2012

UPDATE 10/1 @ 7:40am - Ramirez had also fouled a ball off the same area on Saturday, making the pain a little worse.  Source: Sanspo 10/1/2012

Chiba Lotte Marines

Toshiaki Imae took a batted ball near his left eye while playing defense in the 7th inning of Saturday's game against the Orix Buffaloes.  He was later evaluated and diagnosed with a contusion on his left upper eyelid.

Imae attended workouts at QVC Marine today and said to reporters, "I am fine.  It could have been worse if it had hit me in directly in the eye, so I am relieved."

Source: Nikkan Sports 9/30/2012

Toshiaki Imae earned his domestic FA option with eight years of service time on the active roster.

Said Imae, "I have nothing to say at this point.  I will think about it once the season ends."

Lotte operations manager Nobuhira Hayashi added, "There is nothing we can do right now. ... [Imae] is the face of the Marines so we want to take good care of him."

3rd round draft pick Daichi Suzuki appears to be gaining some ground as a possible short stop candidate.

"Shunichi Nemoto and Kei Hosoya are equal candidates at short, but Suzuki looks good on defense and offense and he is an interesting player.  I want to see how he does in games," said INF/base-running coach Kenichi Sato.

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Pitching coach Takashi Nishimoto helped 2nd round draft pick Yuhei Nakaushiro with his slide step after general pitcher workouts today.

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Toshiaki Imae switched over to using a bat with a thicker bat handle, but broke it.  He already ordered additional bats, but their delivery date was pushed back due to the snow.

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1st round draft pick Takahiro Fujioka tossed his bullpen session on Wednesday at about 60-70%.

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Special fielding instructor Norihiro Komada spent time working with Shoitsu Omatsu on gloving/scooping one-hoppers on Wednesday.