YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) Yokohama BayStars third baseman Shuichi Murata is expected to be sidelined for an extended time with a hamstring injury.
Murata, who led the Central League in home runs the past two seasons, left Friday's game against the Chunichi Dragons after hurting his left hamstring while running to first base in the seventh inning.
Murata will be re-examined early next week, but it will likely take three to four weeks to fully recover, according to the team's chief trainer.
During the World Baseball Classic in March, Murata pulled a muscle in his right hamstring. The injury pushed his season debut until late April.