PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Padres reliever Yuki Matsui will not pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, and the left-hander’s status for the season opener in San Diego a month later is unclear due to a strained left groin.
Matsui was still pitching in the flat Thursday, a week after he cut batting practice short because of a groin injury.
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“Right now, I’m just continuing the process of throwing and regaining the strength and distance to catch the ball,” Matsui told reporters through an interpreter. “Once it’s good enough, I’ll start falling off the mound. But as to when, we don’t know yet.”
Matsui, 30, who has gone 7-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 125 appearances over two seasons since signing a five-year, $28 million contract with the Padres, also said he’s not yet sure when Opening Day will be. San Diego’s first game will be March 26 at home against Detroit.
Defending WBC champion Japan will face Taiwan on March 6 at the Tokyo Dome. Matsui was replaced on the Japan roster by left-hand Yumeto Kanemaru of the Chunichi Dragons.
“I’m looking forward to playing with them,” Matsui said. “I think the Tokyo game, because of the time difference, I don’t think I’ll be able to watch it live. But I’m sure they’ll get into the Miami game. I think then I’ll be able to watch it live and cheer them on.”
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The 5-foot-8 Matsui had a 2.40 career ERA, 236 saves and a 1.11 WHIP in 10 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball before joining the Padres. He is the youngest pitcher in the Nippon Major League to reach 200 saves. He made his major league debut in 2014 at the age of 18 and was a five-time All-Star with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, leading the Pacific League in saves in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
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Associated Press MLB: https://apnews.com