Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell, who will manage a team of major leaguers against Japan's national team in November, indicated Saturday he will not take any of his own players to Japan, meaning both closer Koji Uehara and set-up man Junichi Tazawa might miss the series.
Since 1996, when Hideo Nomo returned with a team of big league All-Stars, Japanese major leaguers have been a popular addition to the postseason games, which will be played this fall for the first time since 2006. Tazawa would be an interesting choice to join the MLB squad since he has been effectively blacklisted from playing for Japan.
The Red Sox right-hander ruffled feathers in 2008, when the then corporate-league star informed NPB clubs he would turn pro in the United States by signing directly with an MLB club.
In August, Japan manager Hiroki Kokubo told Kyodo News he was unable to select Tazawa to play for Japan.
"It's out of my hands," the skipper said following a news conference to formally announce the November series against the big leaguers. The decision has been made by the baseball community and their minds are made up."