Yakult Swallows infielder Akinori Iwamura indicated Thursday he would give up on trying to move to the major leagues, at least this offseason.
"I would like to go to the majors. But I can't go if the Swallows don't give me a green light. I don't want to fight against my team," the 26-year-old Iwamura said.
Under the so-called posting system, Japanese players need team approval when they switch to the majors before becoming a free agent. Under the system, major league clubs present sealed bids to Japanese teams to acquire players.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Swallows lefty closer Hirotoshi Ishii does not intend to give in to the rule, saying that it has to be this offseason given his age and physical condition.
Maeda re-signs
Yomiuri Giants veteran lefty Yukinaga Maeda re-signed with the Central League club for an estimated E10 million plus performance incentives after turning down free agency on Thursday.
Maeda waived his right to become a free agent last month and decided to stay with the struggling Giants.
Newly appointed Yomiuri manager Tatsunori Hara brought Maeda over in a free agent deal in the 2001 offseason from the Chunichi Dragons in his former position as Giants skipper.
Maeda allowed 67 runs with a 4.65 ERA in 50 relief appearances with Yomiuri this past season.