The Orix Buffaloes said Thursday they have released left-hander Katsuhiko Maekawa, who has been indicted for his involvement in a hit-and-run accident earlier this month.
Maekawa was arrested on Jan. 6 after hitting and injuring a woman on her bicycle at a crossing in Osaka. He was driving without a license. "Once again we would like to apologize for this incident," said Orix president Tadao Saika.
"We will be checking all of our players' driving licenses and working with police to ensure this kind of incident does not happen again." Maekawa had his driver's license revoked in 2002 for road traffic law violations, including speeding.