Yomiuri Giants ace Koji Uehara may be putting too much pressure on himself after announcing on April 7 he will definitely exercise his right to free agency at the end of the current season and look to play in the major leagues in 2009.

The right-hander returned to the starting rotation this season after a year as the Kyojin closer, and he is most likely the No. 1 guy on the list of many MLB team scouts who will be in and out of Japan this year, looking for the next Daisuke Matsuzaka.

But, was it wise for the guy to state his intentions so soon?