Yokohama BayStars pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki said Sunday he has decided to draw the curtain on his illustrious 16-year career, which includes stints in Japan and the major leagues, after this season.

News photoKazuhiro Sasaki

The 37-year-old right-hander has been left out of the picture for next season by the Central League team after a nagging knee injury delayed his comeback to the top team in his final year of a two-year contract.

"I told the team on Wednesday that I'd like to hang up my glove," Sasaki said in a news conference at Yokohama Stadium.