FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Fukuoka Softbank Hawks outfielder Jose Ortiz, who hurt his right knee in a game against the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters earlier this week, has been diagnosed with knee joint damage, the team said Friday.
A team official said Ortiz will probably have to undergo surgery, meaning he will likely be out for the rest of the season.
The Dominican tweaked his knee while attempting a catch during a game at Asahikawa Starffin Stadium on Wednesday. He was removed from the active roster the next day and later had an examination at a Fukuoka hospital.
As of Friday, Ortiz led his team with 24 homers and 74 runs batted in.