Darvish to start Opening Day

SURPRISE, Arizona, Feb. 25 (15:28) Kyodo

Yu Darvish will be the Texas Rangers' Opening Day starter against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 31, receiving the pitching duty for the first time in his third year in
the major leagues, manager Ron Washington announced on Tuesday.

Washington had hinted that Darvish, 27, would be his man to take the hill on Opening Day back in January at the team's Fan Fest event, but he called his ace into the clubhouse to give him the news officially before Tuesday's practice.

"Yu is the kind of guy that doesn't show a lot of emotion, but he was excited in what he said," Washington said. "He's going to work his tail off to make certain he does a good job and represent well."

Darvish, who finished runner-up in the American League Cy Young balloting after posting a 2.83 ERA in 209-2/3 innings with a a league-leading 277 strikeouts, is the fourth Japanese pitcher to start Opening Day after Hideo Nomo, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hiroki Kuroda.

"I just want to make sure I avoid injuries and pitch where the manager says he wants me to," Darvish said.

Tanaka solid in spring debut

TAMPA, Florida, March 1 (09:23) Kyodo

Japan's Masahiro Tanaka made an effective if unremarkable spring debut on Saturday with the New York Yankees, who signed the Pacific League MVP and two-time Sawamura Award winner on a seven-year deal worth $155 million.

The 25-year-old Tanaka struck out three and allowed two singles in two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in a 4-0 preseason win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Steinbrenner Field. Tanaka, who entered to a roaring applause, had good command of his fastball, but frequently missed with his curve and slider in his 32-pitch outing.

"I think I did OK," Tanaka said. "I did a decent job of pitching to the opposing batters and didn't walk anyone so that was good. My form is not nearly there yet, so I have a lot to do."

"As far as my control, there were times when I needed to execute better. I am going to need to cut down on the number of pitches. There were places where I could have thrown fewer today. There are a few things I need to address in that regard."

A good crowd at the Yankees' spring training home showed their appreciation for retiring Yankees captain Derek Jeter with a loud applause when he batted in the bottom of the first, and the home fans were treated to two sharp innings each from ace CC Sabathia and Japan's Hiroki Kuroda, who wound up as the winning pitcher.

Kuroda gave up a bunt single to the first batter he faced but the next pitch got him a double play and the right-hander needed just 17 pitches to complete his assigned innings. Kuroda struck out two batters, and compatriot Ichiro Suzuki gave the Yankees the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a sharp RBI single while Tanaka paced in the dugout waiting his turn to pitch.

The applause Jeter received proved to be a warm-up for the ovation that greeted Tanaka's entry in the fifth.

"It was my first live game and in that context, I was fired up and that's how I pitched," said Tanaka.

"During our at-bat before I came on, the opposing pitchers didn't have their control so it was a long inning while I waited to take the field. There's no problem with our guys batting for a long time, but it was like, 'It's not time yet, not yet, still not yet.'"

Tanaka didn't shake off Francisco Cervelli once, but said he expected that would change.

"Today, I basically let Cervelli put down the signs and I just tried to throw it where he wanted it," Tanaka said. "As time goes on, I expect my pitching patterns will change and there will be times when I shake off the catcher. But I think that will happen as we build our rapport and progress."

Dr. Frank Jobe passes away at 88: http://www.latimes.com/obituaries/la-me-frank-jobe-20140307,0,7968857.story#axzz2vHHdmA4M

And if every pitcher's career he saved attends the funeral they'll have to hold it at the Rose Bowl.

Dodgers begin the regular season with two wins down under against the D-backs.

Various and sundry baseball news:

Jays' Kawasaki to start season in minors

DUNEDIN, Florida, March 25 (13:19) Kyodo


Utility infielder Munenori Kawasaki will start the season at Triple-A Buffalo, the Toronto Blue Jays said Monday.

The 32-year-old Kawasaki will stay with the top team until Saturday before heading down to the minors. He has been batting .222 in 21 games this spring.

"I guess I have to go," Kawasaki said. "I'm in really good shape. I hope to play well when I get the call."

Joining Kawasaki in the minors will be left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, who signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs a day after being released by the team.

Wada, a spring training invitee, has allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 5-2/3 innings in three games, including one start.


Iwakuma throwing again

PEORIA, Arizona, March 24 (13:36) Kyodo

The Seattle Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma took a step toward returning to the mound Monday, throwing baseballs for the first time in more than a month.

Iwakuma injured the middle finger in his throwing hand in January, and only began throwing tennis balls on Friday. There is still no timetable for the right-hander's return.

"I thought the ball would get away from me, but I could actually grip it," said Iwakuma, who was third in the American League Cy Young Award voting last season. "It was reassuring."

"It's still a little swollen. But my shoulder feels good, my elbow feels good. I'm in good overall condition. Once I get the feel back in my finger, I'm confident about what I can do."

Tanaka's big league debut set for April 4 in Toronto

TAMPA, Florida, March 25 (15:09) Kyodo

The New York Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka is set to make his major league debut on April 4 at the Toronto Blue Jays, according to various U.S. media reports Monday.

Manager Joe Girardi revealed his starters for the season-opening three-game series against the Houston Astros -- C.C. Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Ivan Nova in order.

The Yankees' schedule early on will see the fourth and fifth starters get an extra day of rest that the team wants to give to Tanaka as he adjusts to pitching with fewer days between starts compared with Japan.

Tanaka has had a solid spring, sporting a 3.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 15 innings

Matsuzaka solid in bid for Mets' spot

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida, March 24 (08:48) Kyodo

Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka added another strong spring outing to his bid for the fifth spot in the New York Mets' rotation on Monday.

Matsuzaka, a spring training invitee, held the St. Louis Cardinals to three hits and one earned run in just over six innings of work, earning the win as the Mets took a 5-3 victory. He struck out five batters, including the top three in the Cardinals lineup in the first inning, and issued three walks.

The only run charged to Matsuzaka came as a result of hitting St. Louis outfielder Stephen Piscotty, the only batter he faced in the seventh inning. Piscotty advanced one base at a time from first to third and later scored on a wild pitch by reliever Vic Black.

"I didn't have my best stuff today, so it's interesting that I got such good results," Matsuzaka said. "Even though I wasn't throwing particularly well, I was able to get outs like I wanted. In that sense, I felt it was a successful outing."

The 33-year-old veteran is in close competition with 24-year-old righty Jenrry Mejia for the Mets' fifth rotation spot. In five spring outings, Matsuzaka has gone 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He is expected to start for the Mets in their final spring game, a March 29 exhibition in Montreal against the Toronto Blue Jays.

gaijinmark wrote:

Darvish to start Opening Day

Then again, looks like he won't.

Darvish scratched from season opener

SURPRISE, Arizona, March 25 (06:50) Kyodo

Yu Darvish's ongoing neck stiffness will prevent him from pitching in the Texas Rangers' season opener, the team said Tuesday.

Darvish, who missed a minor-league start on Friday due to the injury, will return to Dallas for medical evaluation and is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Wednesday.

Though the 27-year-old had hoped to recover in time for the March 31 opening day contest against the Philadelphia Phillies, his condition has failed to improve.

"It's going to take some more time," said Darvish, who had attributed the pain to sleeping badly on his neck. "Since I know it won't get better immediately, I made the decision now rather than waiting until the very end of camp. I didn't want to burden the team."

The Rangers' Wednesday game against the Seattle Mariners would have been Darvish's final spring outing.

Nothing has changed for Kuroda, he pitches well but gets no support.

Astros down Yankees 3-1

HOUSTON, April 3 Kyodo

Japan's Hiroki Kuroda allowed two runs over six innings in his season debut, but was hung with the loss as the New York Yankees fell 3-1 to the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old Kuroda gave up three hits and a walk, while striking out five, but Dexter Fowler had the right-hander's number. The Astros leadoff man homered off Kuroda's second pitch, and tripled and scored on an error in the third.

"I did what was expected, I kept us in the game," Kuroda said. "I gave up the extra-base hits when I got behind in the count and left pitches up. I didn't pitch all that well, but I was able to adjust and move on."

"There's nothing to do but focus on each game as it comes and go all out," he said.

But there's some good news:

Darvish to make season debut Sunday against Tampa Bay

ARLINGTON, Texas, April 2 Kyodo

Texas right-hander Yu Darvish, who has been on the 15-day disabled list with a stiff neck, will return to make his season debut on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays, Rangers manager Ron Washington announced Wednesday.

Darvish missed his last two spring starts and the Rangers' March 31 season opener due to the lingering ailment, but an MRI exam revealed no structural damage to his neck. He began a throwing program on Saturday and completed an 86-pitch session on Tuesday without any problems.

"(Darvish) came in today feeling good," Washington said. "We just feel like he's ready to go."

The return of Darvish will leave the Texas Rangers with six active starters. The team has not yet determined who Darvish will replace as they go back to a five-man rotation.

Dodgers beat the Padres, 5-1, to take two of three from San Diego.

Dodgers are now 5-1, but Kershaw and Wilson are out indefinitely with injuries.

Tanaka wins big league debut with help from Ichiro

TORONTO, April 5 (15:41) Kyodo

Masahiro Tanaka overcame a rough start and got plenty of run support to win his major league debut as the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-3 on Friday.

Tanaka allowed three runs on six hits in seven innings in the Blue Jays' home opener at Rogers Centre, striking out eight without issuing a walk.

"I'm just so happy," said Tanaka, who notched his 100th career victory in his 176th appearance -- a game faster than the pace of the Texas Rangers' Yu Darvish. "In the early stages, I was all over the place but I found my rhythm and was able to pitch well."

"I wasn't all that nervous, but I wasn't quite accustomed to the atmosphere. Once I got into the game I was able to concentrate like usual," he said.

Tanaka went to the mound for the first time with a two-run lead, but received a rude welcome to the big leagues from the first batter he faced. The right-hander hung a 1-1 pitch, and Melky Cabrera drove it into the seats in right-center.

"That was my mistake, pure and simple, and he took full advantage of it," Tanaka said.

Despite new surroundings, it was just like old times for Tanaka, who won his 29th consecutive regular season game with his last loss dating back to Aug. 19, 2012.

"At first, I think I was throwing too many breaking pitches," Tanaka said. "After (the second inning) I tried to work more with my hard stuff."

Tanaka got a big helping hand from veteran outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who went
3-for-5 and scored a pair of runs.

The 40-year-old Suzuki, who patrolled right field this evening, was very impressed by his new teammate's performance.

"The better you play in Japan, the crazier it is initially when you come over here," the former Seattle Mariners superstar said. "But despite such circumstances, he went through seven innings in less than 100 pitches, which is phenomenal to me."

"I owe this to all the experience I've been able to accrue over my career," Tanaka said. "Not to mention that I got a lot of support from the rest of the team, too."

"One game isn't good enough, though. I've got to prepare myself so I can do this throughout the whole season," he said.

Dodgers get hammered by the Giants in their home opener yesterday, 8-4.

bmwracer wrote:

Dodgers get hammered by the Giants in their home opener yesterday, 8-4.

Puig missed BP and was benched. He's going from "the next Willie Mays" to "the next Milton Bradley".

gaijinmark wrote:

Puig missed BP and was benched. He's going from "the next Willie Mays" to "the next Milton Bradley".

'Fraid so... Seems like no one can get him under control.

Dodgers salvage one game in the weekend Giants series with a 6-2 win.

Tanaka's second start, this time against the O's. Goes 7 innings gave up 7 hits, 3 runs, struck out 10 got no decision as the Yankee bullpen implodes in the 9th giving up two runs and the O's win 5-4.

Ichiro who is hitting .429 so far this year was used as a pinch runner.

Dodgers sweep the D-backs with a 8-6 win.

gaijinmark wrote:

Jays' Kawasaki to start season in minors DUNEDIN, Florida, March 25 (13:19) Kyodo Utility infielder Munenori Kawasaki will start the season at Triple-A Buffalo, the Toronto Blue Jays said Monday. The 32-year-old Kawasaki will stay with the top team until Saturday before heading down to the minors. He has been batting .222 in 21 games this spring. "I guess I have to go," Kawasaki said. "I'm in really good shape. I hope to play well when I get the call."

And he's back:

Blue Jays recall Kawasaki

NEW YORK, April 14 (13:22) Kyodo

Japanese infielder Munenori Kawasaki was called up by the Toronto Blue Jays from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Kawasaki replaces second baseman Maicer Izturis, who was placed on the disabled list with a sprained left knee. Kawasaki will join the team in Minnesota for the three-game series against the Twins starting Tuesday.

^ And he contributes right away going 2-for-5 with a double as the Jays beat the Twins 9-3.

Kenley Jansen blows another save and the Dodgers lose to the Giants in 12, 3-2.

Tanaka smokes the Cubs, goes 8 innings, gives up 2 hits, walks 1, strikes out 10.

Yankees win 3-0.

In the second game of the doubleheader Ichiro went 2-for-4 now hitting a cool .435, Yankees shut out the Cubs again 2-0.

Mets recall Matsuzaka

NEW YORK, April 17 Kyodo


Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka has been called up to the major leagues from Triple-A Las Vegas, the New York Mets announced on the team's website.

Matsuzaka, who was a surprise omission from the Mets' season-opening rotation, is slated to go to the bullpen, where he has little experience in his career. He was 2-0 in Las Vegas with a 2.25 earned run average in two games. Matsuzaka's lone major league relief appearance came with the Boston Red Sox in a May 2011 game, when he came out of the pen in the 13th inning against the Los Angeles Angels.

"Right now, we brought up Daisuke to pitch out of the pen, more or less in a long role," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. "But he does give us some insurance with any of our starters, frankly, if they need to miss one (start) or get backed up a little."