Yomiuri Giants outfielder Yoshinobu Takahashi was diagnosed with a slightly strained muscle Monday requiring about three weeks of recovery, officials of the Central League club said Monday.
A detailed examination held at a Tokyo hospital found no fractures, but club officials said the 31-year-old is not expected to return to action until sometime later than the three weeks he needs to recover.
Takahashi bruised his side in a game against the Hiroshima Carp when he dove to catch a fly ball in left field at Tokyo Dome last Wednesday. He complained of pain in the area when he struck out swinging in a game against the Yokohama BayStars on Friday.
The Giants have gotten off to a solid start to take the early lead in the Central League standings but have been hit by a series of injuries to players, including lefty Hisanori Takahashi, who is expected to be sidelined for two months after breaking a cheek bone when he was hit with a hard-hit foul ball early this month.