SAPPORO (Kyodo) Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters right-hander Yu Darvish, who is struggling to return to form from back pain and right shoulder fatigue, will not pitch in the Pacific League Climax Series, Fighters manager Masataka Nashida said Friday.
"His form is bad when he places his foot out to pitch, so the fact is he won't be making any mound appearances in the Climax Series," Nashida said.
Darvish, who went 15-5 with a league-best 1.73 ERA this season, had been scheduled to pitch in a farm league game on Sunday in Miyazaki Prefecture but Nashida said he was unsure even when the 23-year-old would be ready to throw a bullpen session.
"It's not good. My condition hasn't really changed," said Darvish, who was limited to a game of catch on Friday.
It is still unclear whether Darvish will even be able to pitch in the Japan Series, which is scheduled to begin on Oct. 31.