Joe Urbon, the agent for outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, denied a report, that appeared on the San Diego Padres' Web site on Friday, that he has decided to play in the major leagues next season. Fox News reported in its online edition earlier that Fukudome, 30, is set to announce that he is leaving Japan, the first step toward him signing a free-agent contract with an MLB club. His decision on whether to join the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres or an unidentified third finalist might come as soon as late Friday night or early Saturday, the report said, quoting unspecified sources.
