First-year import Kevin Youkilis, a former major pleauge player, is not expected to be fit to play for two months, a Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles official said Thursday.
Youkilis is in the United States undergoing treatment for an inflammation in the plantaris tendon in his left heel, which does not require surgery. The slugging infielder was hurt at the end of April and returned to the United States on May 7.
"According to the doctor, it will be another two months until he can play baseball," said Hiroshi Abei, the Pacific League club's managing director.
"I spoke to him (Youkilis) and he said he wants to come back."