PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui’s status for Japan in the World Baseball Classic may be in question after the left-hander ended batting practice early with tightness in his left groin.
Matsui is not thought to be a long-term issue heading into Thursday’s fight, but it could affect his build-up to the WBC with the opener against Taiwan still two weeks away.
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“We’ll have to see how he performs today after rest and then see how he feels tomorrow,” Padres manager Craig Staman said Friday. “Honestly, I think it calls the WBC into question.”
Defending WBC champion Japan will take a hit in the bullpen without Matsui, a reliable middle-inning option for the Padres in two seasons. The 30-year-old had a 3.86 ERA in 125 games.
Stamann said Matsui could return to the receiving game this weekend.
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Associated Press MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb