Yokohama BayStars outfielder Takayuki Kajitani has pulled out of Japan's two-game series against Taiwan in March due to an injury, NPB Enterprises announced Thursday.
Kajitani, who on Monday was called up for national team duty for the first time since November 2013, suffered an injury to one of his left oblique muscles, and has withdrawn from the games to be played on March 5 and 6. Kajitani was injured when he ran into a fence during fielding practice in spring training.
"It's really regrettable," he said in a statement released by the BayStars. "I want to do really well this season and give the effort needed to be selected for the (2017) World Baseball Classic."