Satoru Komiyama and Toshihisa Nishi were added to the NPB Playing Rules Committee on Friday.

NPB Commissioner Ryozo Kato selected former pro yakyu players for the first time in an effort to enhancement the committee.

The media learned on Sunday that Toshihisa Nishi is planning on traveling to other parts of the world in order to learn more about baseball.  His first stop will be the Dominican Republic.  From there he'll probably move on to Cuba, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.  Nishi will likely leave Japan some time later this month.

Games from the 13th:

Angels 6 - Dodgers 5
Hideki Matsui started in left and batted fifth. He went 3-for-4: RBI single to left, double to left, RBI single to right, strike out looking.  He was also taken out of the game on defense in the 7th inning.

Mariners 4 - Padres 2
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: walk, ground out to short strikeout, ground out to short, RBI double to left.

Tigers 4 - Pirates 3
Akinori Iwamura entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the top of the 9th for Andy LaRoche.  Iwamura flied out to center for the last out of the game.

Mets 11 - Orioles 4
Ryota Igarashi entered the game in the 8th and tossed a 1-2-3 inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

It seems there were (are) rumors of Igarashi being sent to the minors for additional work.  This outing may have bought him a little more time.

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Daisuke Matsuzaka will likely take the full day off on the 14th and will begin playing catch again on the 15th -- seems the doctor gave him the green light.

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Toshihisa Nishi could be returning to Japan in early July.

Games from the 12th:

Angels 4 - Dodgers 2
Hideki Matsui entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Fernando Rodney in the 9th inning and was intentionally walked.

It also happened to be Matsui's birthday on the 12th.  His intentional walked ended two consecutive years of home runs on his bithday: in 2008 he hit a grand slam and in 2009 he hit a 3-run homer.

Padres 7 - Mariners 1
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 3-for-5: single to left, RBI single to left, ground out to third, ground out to first, double to left-center.

Red Sox 10 - Phillies 2
Hideki Okajima entered the game in the 6th with the score 9-2 in favor of the Red Sox.  Final line: 1.1 IP, 6 BF, 1 H, 1 SO, 1 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

White Sox 2 - Cubs 1
Kosuke Fukudome entered the game as a defensive replacement (right field) in the top of the 9th and then grounded out to the pitcher during his at bat in the bottom half of the inning.

Mets 3 - Orioles 1
Hisanori Takahashi started the game and gave up a run over 7 innings of work and improved to 5-2 on the year.  Final line: 7 IP, 27 BF, 6 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 ER.

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Toshihisa Nishi visited former Yomiuri Giant teammate Hisanori Takahashi on the 12th to watch him pitch.  Said Nishi, "If I was still playing, I wouldn't have this chance to see him play, so I've been looking forward to this. ... It's like a family member is playing today."

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Akinori Otsuka dropped by the Mariners dugout on the 12th to see Ichiro and Don Wakamatsu.  Seems Ichiro has a lot of respect for Otsuka: "[To go under the knife three times] means he must love baseball.  And to be so cheerful despite that...  I thought that was amazing."

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The Red Sox placed Daisuke Matsuzaka on the 15-day DL due to right elbow tightness (retro to the 8th).  This marks the second time Matsuzaka has been placed on the DL this year, and 5th time over his 4-year MLB career.

You were scratched from your start before the start of the game

Everything was fine up until the time I stepped foot into the bullpen.  Once in the bullpen, I started feeling tightness along the outer portion of my arm, and it was affecting the way I was pitching.  I could have pitched if I had to...  But they said it didn't make sense for me to change my delivery just so that I could pitch and they shut me down.

Your thoughts on the DL

They ended up using a lot of pitchers today.  I just feel really bad about this and offer my apology.

Your plans moving forward

The trainer checked me out and it doesn't appear to be that bad.  Since this feels more like muscle tightness, I don't think I'll be out for very long.  We'll probably way a day or so before making any decisions on what to do next.

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Shingo Takatsu (playing for the Sinon Bulls out the of CPBL) currently leads the league in saves with 13.  His team also won the first half of the season.

1:34pm JST

It seems part of the reason why Nishi retired had to do with a right hamstring injury that had gotten worse.  Said Nishi, "My right hamstring is in a lot of pain, I can't even lift my leg when I run.  If I consider rehab, it would probably take me time to heal and I thought it would be best for the team if I left."

It seems Nishi will step away from baseball for a bit in order to do things he hasn't had time to do over the years.  "I wasn't able to do much relaxing during the warmer months of the year," said Nishi.  "I'd like to go somewhere with my family during the summer, maybe do some writing and watch other sports."

Nikkan Sports is also carrying a mini interview with Nishi.  I've translated some of the more interesting parts of it below:

What are your thoughts on baseball after playing in the US.

I think Japan should let its players play on natural infield grass and I think it's also important to change the ball.  If Japan continues to play with a ball that travels well, the players will never get better.

Do you have anything you'd like to say to NPB players?

For players that want to play in the US, but feel they don't have enough to make it to the Majors, I think playing [in the Independent Leagues] can be enough.  The ball doesn't fly and the pitchers don't groove pitches.  The team I played for has a contract with two MLB teams so they really strive for quality players.

10:01am JST

Toshihisa Nishi announced on the 8th that he officially decided to end his career after attempting to get back into the game with the Lancaster Barnstormers.

2010 Barnstormers

NPB Career

Other notable information:

• Drafted in 1995 in the second round by the Yomiuri Giants
• Golden Glove - 4 (1999 - 2002)
• All-Star Game - 5 (1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007
• Lead-off homers to start a game: 24 (top of the inning - 9; bottom of the inning 15), good for 7th on the All-time list.
• Lead off homers to start a game, season: 7, good for a 7th place tie on the All-time list.
• First player to go a full season and steal 20 or more bases and not get caught once.
• Rookie of the Year  (1986)
• Nippon Series MVP (2000)
• All-Star Game MVP (1998, second game)

Games from the 1st:

Royals 6 - Angels 3
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fifth.  He went 2-for-4: double to right, fly out to left, double to right, ground out to second.

The umps called for a video replay on Matsui's hit in the 6th inning -- the final ruling was that the ball bounced off the top of the wall for a double.

Mariners 7 - Twins 1
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 3-for-5: single to left, fly out to left, RBI single to right, ground out to third, single to center.  This was Ichiro's 7th 3-hit game of the year.

Ichiro is now just 2 runs away from 1,000 MLB runs.

Pirates 3 - Cubs 2
Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: ground out to the pitcher, triple to right, walk, strikeout swinging, foul out to third.

Braves 7 - Phillies 3
Takashi Saito entered the game in the 8th with the Braves up 6-2.  He tossed a shutout inning in relief and did not get a decision.  Final line: 1.0 IP, 4 BF, 1 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

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Toshihisa Nishi's last couple of games:

5/25 vs Newark Bears - started at second and batted ninth, 1-for-3

5/26 vs Newark Bears - started at second and batted ninth, 0-for-4

5/28 vs York Revolution - started at second and batted ninth, 0-for-3

5/29 vs York Revolution - started at second and batted ninth, 0-for-9

5/31 vs Bridgeport Bluefish - entered the game partway through at second in the 8-hole, 1-for-4 with a run scored

6/1 vs Bridgeport Bluefish - started at second and batted ninth, 1-for-3

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The Mets decided on the 2nd that Hisanori Takahashi's next start will come on the 6th against the Marlins.

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Ryota Igarashi has begun making adjustments to his mechanics after getting shelled for 6 runs in 0.1 innings of work on the 31st.  Prior to the Padres game on the 1st, Igarashi spent about 15 minutes in the bullpen.

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Kei Igawa tossed three shutout innings in relief against the triple-A Durham Bulls on 5/31.  Final line: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO.

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Ichiro Suzuki continues to hold the lead for AL outfielders on the All-Star ballot with 604,675 votes.  Hideki Matsui is currently in second place for designated hitters with 465,752 votes (he's behind Vladimir Guerrero's 725,752 votes).

Joe Mauer currently leads all AL players with 1,138,286 votes.

The full listing can be seen at MLB.com.

Games from the 22nd:

Padres 2 - Mariners 1
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 2-for-4: infield single, foul out to third, single to left, fly out to center.

Angels 10 - Cardinals 7
Hideki Matsui started in left and batted sixth.  He went 1-for-4: fly out to right, 2-run single to right, strikeout swinging, fly out to short.  He was taken out of the game in the 7th on defense.

Red Sox 5 - Phillies 0
Daisuke Matsuzaka started the game and was just 4 outs away from a no hitter.  With two outs in the 8th, Juan Castro blooped a single just out of the reach of Marco Scutaro's glove.  Final line: 8 IP, 27 BF, 1 H, 5 SO, 4 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Cubs 5 - Rangers 4
Kosuke Fukudome entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the 10th and hit a single to right.  He took over in right in the bottom of the inning.

Braves 4 - Pirates 2
Akinori Iwamura was back in the starting line-up at second and batted first.  He went 0-for-3: ground out to the catcher, ground out to second, ground out to third, walk, walk.  Iwamura also stole a base.

Takashi Saito entered the game in 7th with a runner on first and 2 outs and the Braves up 3-2.  He surrendered a single to the first batter he faced, but got out of the inning by striking out Ronny Cedeno.  Final line: 1.1 IP, 7 BF, 2 H, 3 SO, 1 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

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Ryota Igarashi joined up with the parent club on the 22nd for practice and played some catch with Hisanori Takahashi.  The team will likely activate Igarashi on the 23rd.

As for Takahashi, he apparently told reporters that he ignored the faces of Yankee players while pitching on the 21st because he was scared of them (he knew the faces too well) -- in other words, he pretended he was pitching against a bunch of nobodies.

Takahashi's next start is scheduled for the 26th against the Phillies.  It will be his first attempt to start on four days of rest.

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Seems Koji Uehara could be heading for a second stint on the DL -- he apparently felt something in his right elbow during an outing on the 19th against the Rangers.

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Toshihisa Nishi's last couple of games:

5/19 vs Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (game 1 of double-header) - started at second and batted ninth, 2-for-4, R

5/21 vs Somerset Patriots - started at second and batted ninth, 1-for-4

5/22 vs Somerset Patriots - started at second and batted ninth, 0-for-4

Nishi's 8-game hitting streak came to an end on the 22nd.

Games from the 18th:

Athletics 6 - Mariners 5
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-3: ground out to short, walk, single to left, intentional walk, ground out to first.

Rangers 8 - Angels 7
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted sixth.  He went 0-for-3: strikeout swinging, strikeout swinging, walks, fly out to center.

Red Sox 7 - Yankees 6
Hideki Okajima entered the game in the 8th and could not get out of the inning.  The inning started off well for Okajima, as he fanned the first two batters he faced.  But then he allowed a single and a walk and was yanked from the game.  Final line: 0.2 IP, 4 BF, 1 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Cubs 6 - Rockies 2
Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: walk, ground out to short, RBI single to center, strikeout swinging, fly out to second.  Fukudome also stole a base in the first after reaching on a walk.

Pirates 2 - Phillies 1
Akinori Iwamura entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the 7th with 1 out and a runner on second.  Iwamura ended up grounding out to second.  He did not return to the game after the at bat.

Braves 3 - Mets 2
Takashi Saito entered the game in the 8th and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 3 BF, 0 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Dodgers 7 - Astros 3
Hiroki Kuroda (LAD) started the game and picked up his 5th win of the season.  Final line: 6 IP, 25 BF, 7 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 3 R, 3 ER.

Kazuo Matsui (HOU) started at second and batted seventh.  He went 0-for-4: strikeout swinging, ground out to the pitcher, ground out to second, ground out to second.  Matsui has not recorded a hit in his last 21 trips to the plate.

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Seems Daisuke Matsuzaka was involved in a four-person meeting that involved himself, catcher Victor Martinez, pitching coach John Farrell, and manager Terry Francona.  There was some concern that there might be a rift developing between Matsuzaka and Martinez after their last game on the 17th (Matsuzaka shook off some signs during the game and they both took seemingly veiled shots at each after the game).

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Toshihisa Nishi's last couple of games:

5/12 vs Southern Maryland Blue Crabs - started at second and batted ninth, 2-for-3, 3 R, RBI

5/14 vs Camden Riversharks - started at second and batted ninth, 2-for-3, R

5/15 vs Camden Riversharks - started at second and batted eighth, 1-for-4

5/17 vs Southern Maryland Blue Crabs - started at second and batted ninth, 1-for-3

Nishi has hit safely in his last 6 games.

Games from the 8th:

Angels 4 - Mariners 3
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 2-for-5: fly out to center, single to left, fly out to left, fly out to center, RBI single to left.

The run Matsui drove in was his 1,500 RBI (NPB + MLB combined) of his career.  It came in the top of the 10th with with Bobby Abreu at second and Kendry Morales on first, and David Aardsma on the mound for the Angels.  The breakdown is 889 with the Yomiuri Giants, 597 with the New York Yankees, and 14 with the Anaheim Angels.

Prior to recording his first hit of the game, a single to left in the 4th, Matsui had gone 16 consecutive ABs without a hit.

Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 2-for-4: ground out to short, infield single, 2-run triple to left, ground out to short, walk.

Orioles 7 - Twins 3
Koji Uehara entered the game in the 9th, with the score 7-3, and tossed a shutout inning of relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 4 BF, 1 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Reds 14 - Cubs 2
Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted second.  He went 1-for-3: strike out looking, single to center, ground out to second.  Fukudome was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the 7th.

Padres 2 - Astros 1
Kazuo Matsui started at second and batted seventh.  He went 0-for-3: ground out to short, ground out to short, ground out to short.  Matsui also stole his first base in the 8th (he avoided a double play by getting to first before the throw).

Braves 4 - Phillies 1
Takashi Saito entered the game in the 8th with the Braves up by two.  Final line: 1 IP, 3 BF, 0 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Mets 5 - Giants 4
Hisanori Takahashi entered the game in the 11th, with the score tied at 4, and picked up his second victory of the season with one shutout inning of work.  Final line: 1 IP, 3 BF, 0 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

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Akinori Iwamura was given the day off.

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Ryohei Tanaka started a AA game against the Trenton Thunder and fell to 2-3 on the year.  Final line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR.

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Toshihisa Nishi's last few games:

5/4 vs the Bridgeport Bluefish - started at second and batted second, 1-for-5

5/5 vs the Bridgeport Bluefish - started at second and batted second, 1-for-5

5/6 vs the Bridgeport Bluefish - entered the game part-way through in the 5 hole, 0-for-2

5/7 vs the Camden Riversharks - started at second and batted 9th, 0-for-3

5/8 vs the Camden Riversharks - started at second and batted 9th, 0-for-4

Games from the 1st:

Tigers 3 - Angels 2
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 1-for-4: ground out to first, strikeout swinging, single to right, strikeout swinging.

Matsui is still one RBI away from 1,500 career NPB / MLB RBI.

Rangers 6 - Marines 3
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 0-for-3: ground out to first, sac bunt, line out to third, ground out to second, walk.

Orioles 12 - Red Sox 9
Daisuke Matsuzaka started the game and gave up 7 runs over 4.2 innings of work.  Final line: 95 NP, 4.2 IP, 22 BF, 7 H, 4 SO, 3 BB, 6 ER, 7 R.

"It's different than pitching in the minors, and I felt pretty good on the mound," said Matsuzaka.  "I could start talking about how some of my pitches were good, but that would be a waste of time.  There are things I need to make adjustments on before my next start.  I may have pushed a little too much because this was my first start."

Dodgers 5 - Pirates 1
Akinori Iwamura started at second and batted lead-off.  He went 1-for-3: walk, single to left, strikeout looking, ground out to the catcher.

Cubs 7 - Diamondbacks 5
Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted second.  He went 2-for-4: double to center, RBI double to left, line out to second, fly out to third, walk.

Braves 10 - Astros 1
Kazuo Matsui started at second and batted seventh.  He went 1-for-3: ground out to second, single to left, ground out to second.

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Toshihisa Nishi started at second and batted ninth against the York Revolution on 5/1.  He went 2-for-4 with an RBI.