TOKYO (AP) Exciting pitcher Shohei Otani will be taken off Japan’s 28-man roster for next month’s World Baseball Classic.
The 22-year-old initially said he would not be able to pitch for Japan because of an ankle injury while holding out hope he could be used as a batter.
But Japan coach Hiroki Kokubo has decided to replace Otani with another starting pitcher on the final roster, which must be submitted by the Feb. 6 deadline.
Otani, who is in Arizona for spring training with the Nippon Ham Fighters, said: ”I thought the condition would improve but I couldn’t get better. I feel sorry for dragging out (my decision).”
Otani was tentatively scheduled to start Japan’s first WBC game on March 7 in Tokyo against Cuba.
Japan won the inaugural WBC in 2006 and defended its title in 2009. The Dominican Republic won in 2013.
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