Softbank Hawks manager Sadaharu Oh is expected to leave hospital soon, the Pacific League club said Wednesday.
"Chief surgeon Masaki Kitajima came to see Oh this evening and said he should be released from Keio University Hospital shortly," Softbank said.
Oh underwent a successful operation in the Tokyo hospital on July 17 to remove his stomach after he was diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer.
Hawks representative Masashi Tsunoda held talks with Oh for about 90 minutes on Wednesday about next Monday's draft for high school players.
"Chances are 50-50 that Oh will attend the draft," Tsunoda said.
Brown extended
HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) Hiroshima Carp manager Marty Brown will continue at the helm of the Central League team after extending his contract for another year on Wednesday, team officials said.
Brown, 43, will receive the same salary of $400,000 (about 46.8 million yen), plus performance-related incentives. Brown agreed on the terms the same day after holding a practice at Hiroshima Stadium.
As of Wednesday, Hiroshima was in fifth place with a 54-69 record and five draws, but has been hit with a series of injuries, especially to its pitching staff.
"He (Brown) has rejuvenated the team to a large extent and is in the process of building a strong team," said team official Kiyoaki Suzuki.
Chunichi wins
YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) Alex Ochoa hit a tiebreaking infield single for the game winner and the Chunichi Dragons rallied from a three-run deficit in the ninth inning to beat the Yokohama BayStars 9-7 in the Central League on Wednesday.
With the dramatic win, Chunichi reduced its magic number to clinch the league title to 13 and moved 4 1/2 games head of the second-place Hanshin Tigers.