Yomiuri Giants slugger Kazuhiro Kiyohara is not among the 34 players who will begin spring training in Guam next month, officials of the Central League club said Monday.
Kiyohara, who underwent surgery on his right knee last October, will instead begin training with the minor league squad in Miyazaki along with infielder Daisuke Motoki and right-hander Yuya Kubo while the rest set up camp in Guam on Feb. 1-7.
The 36-year-old Kiyohara is scheduled to join his teammates for the second part of spring training in Miyazaki, beginning Feb. 10, which also includes foreign players such as Roberto Petagine and off-season acquisition Tuffy Rhodes.
FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Southpaw Hector Mercado, who has played for the Philadelphia Phillies will join the Daiei Hawks for next season, the Pacific League club said Monday.
Mercado has agreed in principle to a one-year deal carrying an annual salary of 50 million yen. The 29-year-old Puerto Rico native is a candidate for closer, the team said.