The absence of Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish spells trouble for Japan in their bid to win the World Baseball Classic for a third straight time, national team manager Koji Yamamoto said Wednesday.
Darvish, who finished his rookie US major league season with a 16-9 record, said he will skip the March tournament as he needs “ample rest” in preparing for 2013 and the Rangers’ attempt at the World Series.
“This was a very difficult decision for me as it is always a tremendous honour to represent my native country,” the right-hander, who helped Japan retain the Classic title in 2009, said in a statement released by the Rangers.
Yamamoto told Japanese media: “I had counted on him as our key pitcher. I kind of feel at a loss.”
“But we have to live with what has been decided. We have no choice but to move forward,” he added.
Yamamoto, a former Hiroshima Toyo Carp manager who was appointed last month to pilot the national team, said he was asking six Japanese players in the major leagues to be freed up for the Classic.
But he admitted it would be “tough” to secure the services of other Japanese pitchers in the majors at a time when their clubs are focused on important pre-season training.
Japan, nicknamed Samurai, won the inaugural 2006 edition of the tournament, which was created by US Major League Baseball and intended to emulate the success of football’s World Cup and globalise the sport.
They retained the title in 2009, the next time the contest was held.
The 2013 group and final rounds will be held in March with the gold medal showdown in San Francisco on the 19th of the month.
New York Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki contributed to the Samurai’s triumphs when he was with the Seattle Mariners.
“There are many very talented players in Japan and I am confident this team will uphold Japan’s great tradition in this event,” said Darvish.
He marked a 3.90 ERA in 29 starts in 2012 after his high-priced transfer from the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan’s Pacific League.
“Given my substantial workload over the last few seasons and the numerous changes I’ve endured in my move to the United States, I have decided with my team of advisers that getting ample rest is the most important thing for me right now as I prepare for the 2013 season,” he said.
“My ultimate goal is to help win a World Series with the Texas Rangers and to share that accomplishment with the great baseball fans in Japan,” he said. “I look forward to next season and am excited about our chances of winning.”
Japan rue Darvish absence from Classic
