OSAKA -- Hanshin Tigers right-hander Tetsuro Kawajiri, who has requested that he be put up for a possible auction to the major leagues, has been removed from the roster for spring training, Hanshin officials said Friday.
"He is not on the roster for spring training. I guess the team is waiting until after it decides to keep him or tries to send him to the majors," a Hanshin coaching official said.
Hanshin has already told Kawajiri that it does not approve of his plans to seek a chance to play in the majors. Negotiations between the two sides have stalled.
Kawajiri, who recently turned 33, wants to be put up for auction by Hanshin under the posting system, which allows major league clubs to bid for the right to negotiate with a player belonging to a Japanese club.
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Dodgers paid $11.26 million to the Yakult Swallows for the right to negotiate with southpaw Kazuhisa Ishii.
Kawajiri finished last season with a 1-6 record and a 6.38 earned run average in just 21 mound appearances, but was 10-7 the previous year with a 3.17 ERA in 26 games.
Meanwhile, Kintetsu Buffaloes right-handed closer Atsunori Otsuka agreed Friday to a deal carrying a one-year salary of 132 million yen with the Pacific League club, a 44 million yen increase from last season.