The Japanese professional baseball players' association has sent a letter to the Seibu Lions asking the Pacific League club to allow disgraced pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka to resume playing as soon as possible, union officials said Wednesday.
Matsuzaka, 20, was fined 195,000 yen by Tokyo Summary Court last month for driving without a license and other traffic offenses and ordered by the club to stay at home while prohibiting the star pitcher from taking part in baseball activities.
The letter from the union acknowledged that, while there are some matters Matsuzaka should be ashamed of, he has already been fined and has been the subject of social criticism.