NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo Pref. (Kyodo) The Hanshin Tigers said Saturday they will not re-sign infielder Makoto Imaoka next season.
Partly due to injuries, Imaoka has seen a dramatic fall in production in the past three years and batted just .133 (4-for-30) with no home runs and two RBIs in 23 games this season. But the 35-year-old said he is not ready to retire, just yet.
Imaoka won the Central League batting title in 2003 and led the league in RBIs in 2005, helping guide the Tigers to the CL pennant in both years.