Fukuoka Softbank Hawks right-hander D.J. Houlton was removed from the team's active roster on Friday, citing an injury to his right leg.
Houlton hurt the leg in an interleague game against the Hanshin Tigers on Wednesday and was diagnosed with injured adductor muscles in his right thigh at a Fukuoka hospital the following day. He will require about three weeks to fully recover.
In his third year in Japan, Houlton has a 5-4 record with a 5.11 ERA in nine starts this season.