The Chunichi Dragons deactivated Kosuke Fukudome from the top-team roster Tuesday after the outfielder sustained an injury to his right elbow earlier this month. Fukudome, a member of Japan's team that won the inaugural World Baseball Classic last year, was left out of the starting lineup for three consecutive games before the All-Star break because of the injury. Chunichi did not disclose any further details about the injury, but team officials ruled out the possibility that the two-time Central League batting champion needs to undergo surgery. Fukudome, who won the league's batting title in 2002 and 2006, is hitting .294 this year with 13 homers and 48 RBIs in 81 games. He would have met the requirements to become a free agent on Aug. 21 without an injury layoff.
