NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo Pref. (Kyodo) Hanshin Tigers lefty Jeff Williams was removed from the active roster Monday after a drop in pitching performance.
Hanshin manager Akinobu Okada said Williams, one of three bullpen pitchers who form the "JFK" unit including Kyuji Fujikawa and Tomoyuki Kubota, will be given 10 days off for rest.
The 36-year-old Australian yielded six runs in two innings pitching in two games of a three-game series against the Yomiuri Giants this past weekend.
Williams is 4-4 with five saves and a 3.48 ERA in 41 games.