NPB Tracker

Watch live video from Welcome to http://npb.club.tw/ on Justin.tv

Or if you want to watch later…

I captured some justin.tv footage of Koshien from the other day. You can check it out here.

The title pretty much says it all: if Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara makes it back from the DL this year, it will reportedly be in the bullpen, limited to one or two innings of work. For his part, Uehara says that he’s going to “prepare for next season with the intent of starting”.

Uehara hasn’t spent a full season as a starter since 2006, as I touched on in the profile I wrote of him last year. He clearly wants to continue as a starter but at this point I have to wonder if he’s not better suited to the ‘pen, because of his health.

Hideki Irabu has taken another step on his comeback trail — the stocky righthander has officially joined the Kochi Fighting Dogs of Japan’s independent Island League (IBL). He’s set to debut on the 23rd and his salary is being reported at between $1500-$1800 a month. Irabu’s goal appears to be to play in NPB again, and joining the IBL should help — he’ll get more direct exposure to NPB scouts and possibly play against NPB minor league ni-gun teams in interleague games.

Hanshin team president Numasawa commented on Irabu’s return to Japan to Sanspo: “We want to see how much he can throw. It’s not that we desperately want him, but he quit because of knee problems, so how far is he coming back and how much can he move? To say we definitely don’t want see him would be a lie.”

My guess is that Irabu winds up in camp with an NPB team next spring.

NPB Tracker has succombed to the lure of microblogging and opened a Twitter page. We’ll cram as much info as we can in to the 140 characters that Twitter gives you. Expect to see game and player updates.

As Ryo posted on Twitter yesterday, the Red Sox have called Junichi Tazawa up to the MLB team. He promptly took the loss in Boston’s 15-inning defeat to the Yankees, giving up a walk-off homer to Alex Rodriguez.

Boston used three Japanese pitchers in the game — Tazawa, Hideki Okajima and Takashi Saito; and another, Ramon Ramirez, who has NPB experience.

I’ve written about Tazawa extensively on this site, including this early scouting report-ish post, a deeper analysis of reasonable expectations for him, and an interview with Portland sports writer Kevin Thomas on his progress.

Remember Chris Resop? The Jiji Press reports that he’s left the Hanshin Tigers and returned to America to recover from pain in his right (throwing) elbow. He doesn’t have immediate plans to return to Japan.

Resop signed a deal through the end of the 2009 season with Hanshin in June of 2008. He hasn’t pitched for the top team at all this year and is unlikely to get another shot with the Tigers.

I’m finishing up a post on Daisuke Matsuzaka’s very public bust-up with the Red Sox front office, but it’s not quite done yet. For now, here’s a translation of Matsuzaka’s latest comments for the Nihongo-impaired.

On finishing up his discussion with the front office

We’ve had exchanges on the phone but it was good to be able to meet face to face. Our misunderstanding has been resolved. Going forward I’ll be able to train thoroughly. We’re certainly going in a good direction.

On meeting with the pitching coach (John Farrell) for over one hour

Because I the environment I grew up in was in a different culture, our opinions were bound to collide. Until now, we’ve had meeting on top of meeting to get to a good answer. While we’re both holding ill feelings, we won’t be able to combine our strengths, and I don’t think I can take the mound under those circumstances. It was a huge relief.

Going forward

I don’t know how long I’ll remain in Fort Myers (camp grounds) but I’m feeling good. Although I don’t like stretching this out, I want to train without rushing, and supress my desire to return soon.

On the lessons taken from this incident

I thought I understood (American) culture, but I didn’t really. I want to communicate more with various people. Not just about baseball, I have a lot to learn about personal matters.

Looks like the Cardinals have cut bait on lefty Katsuhiko Maekawa. Maekawa was ineffective in 39 3A innings, walking 32 batters against 33 strikeouts.

The Cards pulled Maekawa off the scrap heap after an uninspiring career in Japan and problems with the law.

It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve actually written about baseball. Let’s get up to speed with a few bullet points.

Japanese Stories:

• The Giants’ Yoshinobu Takahashi has yet to play this year, and when he finally does get into a game it will be at first base and not his usual rightfield.
• Marty Brown’s future in Hiroshima may be in jeopardy.
• Stephen Randolph would like to visit his birthplace, Okinawa, while in Japan. He’ll get that opportunity next spring if he can stick with the BayStars.
• Yasuhiro Ichiba is switching to a three-quarters delivery.
• Tuffy Rhodes will return to game action on August 4.

English Stories:

• Hiroshima Carp bust Scott Dohmann has signed a minor league contract with the Diamondbacks, and former Hanwha Eagle Victor Cruz has signed with Baltimore.
• Gwynar gives us an update on the troubled Kansai League.
• Is Bobby Valentine the most beloved manager of all time? Maybe.
• Christopher Pellegrini takes on Japan’s tendency to over-utilize the sacrifice bunt.
• Heath Bintliff of Dempsey’s Army pointed out to me that Ryohei Tanaka is performing well at 2A for the Orioles.