Ichiro Suzuki and Hiroki Kuroda confirmed Monday what had already been brewing in the rumor mill: they will not play for two-time defending champion Japan in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Outfielder Ichiro and right-hander Kuroda are both free agents from the New York Yankees, and have yet to sign with anyone for next season. The two relayed their decision to pull out of the March 2-19 event to Nippon Professional Baseball, which made the announcement Monday.
"I appreciate being asked to play for Japan again at the WBC," Ichiro said. "But after the second tournament in 2009, I never considered playing in the third event. My feelings have not changed to this day, and it's where things stand."