Injured right-hander Masumi Kuwata has two torn ligaments in his right ankle, a Pittsburgh Pirates public relations officer said Wednesday. Kuwata, who is set to start the season with the Pirates as a minor league player, will still require from four to six weeks before he can return to action.
Immediately following Kuwata's accident, Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield said that based on results of a hospital examination there were no broken bones or torn ligaments in Kuwata's right ankle. On Wednesday, however, the Pirates public relations officer said the injury is a grade 3 sprain, the severest of three types, with torn ligaments.