Tokyo Yakult Swallows lefty Keiji Takahashi is among the three pitchers who will complete Japan's 30-man roster for the World Baseball Classic, a source familiar with the matter said Monday.
The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters' Hiromi Ito and fellow right-hander Yuki Udagawa of the Orix Buffaloes will join Takahashi, as skipper Hideki Kuriyama is set to include 15 pitchers in his roster for the March tournament.
Kuriyama on Jan. 6 announced the first 12 men, led by Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani and San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish — who will be the team's oldest member at 36 — for the fifth edition of the tournament.
The official confirmation of the 30 players is expected by the end of the month.
Two-time champion Japan is scheduled to play its Pool B opener on March 9 against China at Tokyo Dome. The semifinals and final will be played in Miami, Florida, between March 19 and 21.