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Japan pitcher Iwase plans to sit out WBC

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-04 15:13

TOKYO _ Japanese pitcher Hitoki Iwase plans to sit out next year's World Baseball Classic, where Japan will defend its title.

"I want to get some rest in the offseason," Iwase was quoted saying in Thursday's Nikkansports newspaper. "Even at this pace, I don't know if I'll be ready for next season."

Iwase, one of the top closers in Japanese baseball, is one of several players on the Chunichi Dragons who have said they won't take part in the WBC which starts on March 5 in Tokyo.

Iwase wasn't a member of the Japan team that won the inaugural WBC in 2006 but he played on the Japanese team that failed to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Like teammate and fellow pitcher Kenshin Kawakami, Iwase struggled with the Dragons after returning from Beijing. He finished the season with a 3-3 record and 36 saves for the Dragons.

Japan will announce a final list of 45 candidates for the WBC team on December 15. The final squad will have 28 players.