The Tokyo Yakult Swallows said Wednesday they have notified veteran reliever Shingo Takatsu that he has fallen out of the team's plans for next season. "I want to take my time to think about what to do next," Takatsu said through the club. Japanese baseball's all-time saves leader with 286 was 0-5 with 13 saves and a career-worst 6.17 ERA in 25 games in 2007. Takatsu helped Yakult win the Japan Series in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2001 during his 17-year career, including two years in the major leagues.
