Kazuhiro Sasaki said Tuesday he has decided to leave the Seattle Mariners to stay home in Japan with his family.
Mariners relief ace Kazuhiro Sasaki (left), seen in this October 2001 file photo, announced that he was forfeiting the remaining year of his contract with Seattle in order to remain with his family
in Japan.
The right-handed closer told team officials he will not pitch for Seattle or any other major league team in 2004. He wants to forfeit the final year of his contract and remain at home in Japan.