Kintetsu Buffaloes infielder Norihiro Nakamura, who has been suffering from pain in his right knee since May, will not participate in the upcoming All-Star series, Kintetsu manager Masataka Nashida said Thursday. Meanwhile, Hanshin Tigers officials announced outfielder Osamu Hamanaka, who will undergo an operation on Friday for a dislocated right shoulder he suffered in a June game, will also miss the series.

In other Japanese baseball news, both Central League games scheduled for Thursday Ethe Hanshin Tigers against the Chunichi Dragons and the Hiroshima Carp against the Yomiuri Giants Ewere rained out.