Yomiuri Giants right-hander Masumi Kuwata hinted Saturday he will leave the Central League team at the end of the season.

On the team's official Web site, Kuwata, 38, writes in a message entitled "Farewell": "Tomorrow will probably be the last time I pitch on the mound in a Giants uniform. I am very thankful to the Giants who enabled me to develop tremendously over the past 21 years," Kuwata said.

Kuwata, who is scheduled to start in an Eastern League game on the farm team on Sunday afternoon, did not mention whether or not he will continue his playing career next season.

"I have also been writing this page since 2000 and I think this year I will bid you farewell. Tomorrow I will pitch a short outing, but I want to pitch showing my appreciation to all my friends." Kuwata, who was winless last season, won his first decision in two years in a game against the Hiroshima Carp on April 13 at Tokyo Dome but has been limited to one victory this season.

Kuwata later was sent down to the farm team with a sprained right ankle.