Japanese Bulpen Pitcher Joins Late Flights... As it turns out, I'm in a bad condition → It's not easy to pick someone

*This content was translated by AI.

Right-hander Yuki Matsumoto (30, Softbank Hawks), who scored one run in relief at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) against South Korea / vs. Korea on the 7th, did not load himself on a charter flight to the United States, but he joined belatedly using a separate flight. He did not head to the U.S. due to poor condition, but he showed up at the training ground late. As the season is just around the corner, it seems that it is not easy to select a substitute pitcher.

The Japanese national team entered Miami, Florida, USA, on a chartered flight on the 11th (Korea Standard Time). Photos of major players such as Shohei Ohtani (32, LA Dodgers) were released to boost the atmosphere, but Matsumoto was not seen among the 30 final entries, raising doubts.

It turned out that Matsumoto was unable to board the chartered plane because of a sudden lack of condition. He was in charge of the Japanese bullpen by scoring one run in one inning in against South Korea / vs. Korea on the 7th, so whether he would join the final round was a pressing matter of interest. Fortunately, Matsumoto regained his health and arrived in Miami late on a separate flight, and immediately joined the team's training to check his condition.

In the process of Matsumoto joining the team late, the Japanese national team was also deeply concerned. If Matsumoto's joining failed, it was inevitable to put in an alternative pitcher, but in reality, it is very difficult to select a substitute player.

Currently, the opening of the regular season is just around the corner for both Major League Baseball (MLB) and Japanese professional baseball (NPB). Each club wants its players to focus on preparing for the season, and it seems to be very sensitive to requests for transfer, especially for pitchers on the reserve list.

In the case of Tatsuya Imai (28, Houston Astros), who was mentioned as a strong replacement candidate, coach Joe Espada of his team Houston directly expressed disapproval, saying, "I hope there will be no contact for the transfer." This is because, for clubs who have completed their season plans, additional transfers in the middle of the tournament are directly linked to power loss and injury risk.

In the end, Japan chose to restore Matsumoto's condition and play the Miami round instead of transfusing a new face. Japan, which took a breather as Matsumoto appeared at the training ground, is now focusing all on the quarterfinals against Venezuela at 10 a.m. on the 15th (Korea Standard Time).

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*This content was translated by AI.