Swallows pitcher Yasuhiro "Ryan" Ogawa was deactivated on Sunday due to a hand injury he suffered in Friday night's game against the Hanshin Tigers.
The right-handed Ogawa, the Central League's rookie of the year last season, was struck on the palm of his pitching hand by a batted ball en route to suffering his first loss of the season. The injury is thought to be a contusion but he is scheduled to be examined in Tokyo on Monday.
"It's not getting worse, but it still hurts," said Ogawa, who took part in practice before Sunday's game against the Tigers at Koshien Stadium.
Ogawa, who went 16-4 last season with a 2.93 ERA, is 3-1 in four starts this spring.