Hanshin Tigers reliever Jeff Williams may miss the regular season opener due to delayed recovery from a knee injury, officials of the Central League club said Sunday.
Williams, who underwent surgery on his left knee last November, has continued to feel discomfort in his knee and left the Tigers' training camp in Kochi Prefecture on Sunday to receive examinations in the United States.
Williams helped Hanshin to the league title last year by propping up its bullpen along with fellow setup man Kyuji Fujikawa and closer Tomoyuki Kubota.
The 33-year-old Australian went 3-3 with a 2.11 earned run average in 75 games in 2005. He has a 6-8 record with 39 saves and a 2.25 ERA in three seasons with the Tigers.
The Central League will open its 2006 regular season on March 31, with the Tigers meeting the Yakult Swallows in a three-game series at Jingu Stadium.