Deactivated Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks lefty Tsuyoshi Wada said Thursday he is unlikely to pitch in the Pacific League's Climax Series first stage from Oct. 8.
Wada (15-5), who leads the PL in wins, was deactivated last Friday after complaining of left elbow discomfort. The former Baltimore Oriole and Chicago Cub has been back playing catch since Wednesday but is still feeling stiffness.
"It looks difficult with the way it feels now. I fear what might happen if I rush my recovery," said Wada, who underwent Tommy John surgery on the elbow in 2012.
The Hawks saw their two-year reign atop the PL come to an end Wednesday as the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters won the pennant for the first time in four years. SoftBank has secured second and will host the third-place Chiba Lotte Marines at Yafuoku Dome in a three-game series.
The winner will travel to face PL champion Nippon Ham in the final stage from Oct. 12 in a six-game series, with the Fighters handed a one-game advantage.
"I think the first stage will be difficult but I need to ask him if he's going to be OK if we advance," SoftBank manager Kimiyasu Kudo said.