Chunichi Dragons outfielder Kosuke Fukudome said Thursday he is leaning toward joining Japan's team for the World Baseball Classic after New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui said he will sit out the tournament last week.
"My feeling is positive. It's rare to play not only under manager Shigeo Nagashima (in 2004) but Sadaharu Oh this time," he said. Fukudome, the 2002 Central League batting champion, will make his decision as early as Friday.