Yomiuri Giants catcher Shinnosuke Abe was deactivated with a strain in his left thigh, the Central League club announced Saturday.
Abe, 36, was diagnosed with pulled muscles in the biceps behind his left thigh. The Giants' former captain was registered as a position player at first base to start the season but returned to his previous catching role from April 3.
Abe was replaced after hurting himself while running bases in the first inning of a game against the Hanshin Tigers on Friday.
Veteran catcher Ryoji Aikawa was diagnosed with a strain in his right thigh in early April and will require a month of recovery.