FUKUI (Kyodo) Former Texas Rangers reliever Akinori Otsuka said Wednesday he will have a third surgery on his right elbow on Friday with the aim of resuming his playing career.
"I'll undergo surgery to return to the mound. I haven't given up yet," Otsuka said in a speech at the memorial service of his former Kintetsu Buffaloes pitching coach Shigeru Kobayashi.
Kobayashi died of heart failure Sunday at age 57.
"I'm prepared to pitch for whatever team needs me (in Japan or the United States)," the 38-year-old Otsuka said.
Otsuka'slast appearance was in July 2007 for the Rangers.