Padres Reliever Yuki Matsui to Miss World Baseball Classic Due to Injury
San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui will not be able to participate in the World Baseball Classic, representing Japan, due to a left groin strain. The 30-year-old left-hander suffered the injury during a batting practice session a week ago and has been throwing off flat ground since then. Matsui’s status for the Padres’ season opener on March 26 against the Detroit Tigers is also uncertain.
According to Matsui, he is currently focusing on his throwing progression, increasing the intensity and distance of his throws. However, he has not yet started throwing off the mound, and it is unclear when he will be able to do so. “Right now, I’m just continuing the throwing progression, getting intensities and distances of (playing) catch back up,” Matsui told reporters through an interpreter. “Once it’s good enough, then I’ll start throwing off the mound. But as to when, we don’t know yet.”
Background and Career
Yuki Matsui has been a key player for the Padres since signing a $28 million, five-year contract with the team. In his two seasons with the Padres, he has a 7-3 record with a 3.86 ERA in 125 appearances. Before joining the Padres, Matsui had a successful career in Nippon Professional Baseball, with a 2.40 career ERA, 236 saves, and a 1.11 WHIP over 10 seasons. He was the youngest pitcher in the Japanese major leagues to reach 200 saves and made his Japanese big league debut at age 18 in 2014.
Matsui was a five-time All-Star for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, leading the Pacific League in saves in 2019, 2022, and 2023. His impressive career in Japan earned him a spot on the Japanese national team for the World Baseball Classic. However, due to his injury, he has been replaced on the roster by left-hander Yumeto Kanemaru of the Chunichi Dragons.
Impact on the World Baseball Classic and Padres’ Season
The World Baseball Classic is set to begin on March 6, with Japan facing off against Taiwan at the Tokyo Dome. Matsui was looking forward to playing for Japan, but his injury has forced him to withdraw from the tournament. “I was looking forward to playing with them,” Matsui said. “I think the Tokyo games, because of the time differences, I don’t think I can watch in real time. But I believe they’re going to make it to the round in Miami. And I think that’s when I’ll be able to watch live, and cheer for them.”
The Padres’ season opener is just a month away, and Matsui’s injury has raised concerns about his availability for the game. While he is working to recover from his injury, it is unclear whether he will be ready to pitch by the time the season starts. The Padres will likely provide updates on Matsui’s status as the season approaches.
For more information on Yuki Matsui and the San Diego Padres, visit the team’s official website or follow reputable sports sources such as ESPN or MLB.com. The World Baseball Classic will be broadcast on various networks, including ESPN and FOX Sports, and fans can also stream games online through the MLB website or mobile app.
