Tokyo Yakult Swallows outfielder Lastings Milledge was deactivated on Wednesday due to a strain in his right rotator cuff, the Central League has announced.

Milledge, who had shoulder surgery last May, has suffered a strain in the right subscalpulis. Prior to practice on Tuesday, he told Kyodo News he was feeling no pain in the shoulder but that he still needed to regain strength. The team said he felt pain in the subsequent practice and was scratched from the starting lineup in Tuesday's home opener against the Hanshin Tigers.

It appears likely that he will be out of action for a month.