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Archived News of Frank's Field of Dreams

"The Old Reflector"
"Streaking."
Ichiro is currently on a 24 games hitting streak,
he is only one game away from his personal and
team record of 25, which he achieved back in 2007.
(5/31)
Ichiro reeling off another hitting streak

"Club DL, Cont."
Kaz Matsui's strained right hamstring will have him
missing the next two weeks' action, he is only hitting
.219 with one home run and 12 RBIs this season.
(5/30)
Astros place Matsui on 15-day disabled list

"Mixed Results."
Despite being rocked in a Minor League outing, Hiroki Kuroda
will be activated from the DL, however Hong-Chih Kuo still
remain in Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training complex.
(5/29)
Kuroda roughed up in Class A
Kuroda to return to rotation Monday

"Sign of Relief."
Pitching again as a reliever, Chien-Ming Wang threw two
scoreless innings, his ERA dropped from 25 to 20.45.
(5/28)
Wang pitches with authority in relief

"Turning Japanese Again."
Just less than two weeks ago of removing Masahide Kobayashi
from their 40-man roster, Cleveland Indians called up Tomo Ohka,
who signed a Minor League deal and been pitching in AAA-Buffalo
this season. Ohka did not appear in the Major League last year.
(5/28)
Tribe sends down Jackson, recalls Okha

"Wild Matsuzaka."
Daisuke Matsuzaka tied a Boston Red Sox team record,
set by Milt Gaston on September 14, 1929, with four wild
pitches in a game, could it be the gyroball being uncatchable?
(5/28)
Dice-K, Red Sox drop wild game

"Club DL."
Kenji Johjima is on the 15-day DL with a fractured left toe,
and Koji Uehara is on there with a strained left hamstring.
(5/27)
Mariners place Johjima on DL
Sore hammy has Uehara skipping start
Uehara placed on 15-day DL

"Relief Role."
New York Yankees will have Chien-Ming Wang pitch out of
relief for now. There are no timetable of when Wang will
return to the starting rotation, the role he much more prefers.

Chan Ho Park is also not coming back to the rotation anytime
soon, he has done well out of bullpen since being moved there.
(5/26)
Wang trying to adjust to relief role
Park getting acclimated to bullpen role

"Hurt, Hurt, Hurt."
Injuries is piling up once again among the Japanese players.
Akinori Iwamura, Koji Uehara, and Kenji Johjima are the unlucky
ones. Iwamura will not play again this season with a torn ACL.
(5/25)
Uehara exits in third with sore hammy
Uehara injured as O's rally past Nats
Uehara injury may shake up O's rotation
Iwamura likely headed to disabled list
Iwamura out for remainder of season
Johjima hurts toe, out at least two weeks

"Kuroda Rehabs."
Hiroki Kuroda made his first of possible three
rehab starts and was satisfied with his results.
(5/23)
Kuroda happy with first rehab start

"Kawakami Knocks."
Kenshin Kawakami pitched his best game since moving over
from Japan to the United States. In a pitching duel Kawakami
threw 8 scoreless innings, gave up 3 hits to go with 7 strikeouts.
(5/23)
Kawakami, Braves prevail in duel

"Chronicles of Chien-Ming."
Originally slated to start one more game in the Minor League,
Chien-Ming Wang was told to stay in New York after injury to
Joba Chamberlain. Wang indeed was activated from the DL
and pitched in a relief role in his first game back from the DL.
(5/23)
One more start in Minors set for Wang
Wang returns to Yanks, will work in relief
Wang's return to hill seen as a success

"Rotation Changes."
Daisuke Matsuzaka will return and start for Boston Red Sox
during this weekend's interleague series against New York Mets.

Philadelphia Phillies, with the worst starting rotation in
the Major League had enough of Chan Ho Park. Park will
now shift to the bullpen after his 7.29 ERA in seven starts.
(5/19)
Dice-K to start Sox opener vs. Mets
Happ replaces Park in Phils' rotation

"Simulated Situation."
After his simulated game against his Los Angeles Dodgers
teammates, Hiroki Kuroda's next step would be starting a
rehab assignment. Manager Joe Torre said Kuroda should be
starting at least two games before returning to the rotation.
(5/18)
Kuroda feels fine after simulated game

"Master Sasaki."
Kosuke Fukudome again found his stroke this season after hitting
only .257 last season is due to his former coach, Kyosuke Sasaki.
(5/16)
Former coach has Fukudome thriving

"Back to Boston."
Without any setbacks, Daisuke Matsuzaka is going to be
pitching for the Boston Red Sox against New York Mets
this weekend during the first game of the interleague series.
(5/16)
Dice-K could be back on Friday

"Down & Out?"
Masa Kobayashi is no longer in Cleveland Indians' current
plan, however the team is hoping he will head to AAA-Columbus
instead of opting for free agency. Kobayashi is also hoping to
continue to pitch in American instead of head back to Japan.
(5/16)
Indians remove Kobayashi from roster

"Go Pirates!"
A few years went by since I graduated, but my alma mater
East Carolina Pirates' baseball team is the 2009 C-USA Champion!
(5/16)
Pirates Win Regular Season Baseball Title

"Kuo/Kuroda Updates."
Hiroki Kuroda had a good bullpen session and will thrown
a simulated game next, if everything goes well, which
including a brief Minor League rehab stint, he should return
to the Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation in about three weeks.
Hong-Chih Kuo however, is more a wild card, his return
to the Major League is still quite uncertain at this point.
(5/15)
Rehabbing Kuroda throws 'pen session

"One Day Only."
Hideki Matsui only missed one game due to his tight
hamstring, he returned to the lineup and had a
solo blast, his 4th homer of the 2009 season.
(5/14)
Jeter, Matsui out with nagging injuries
Jeter, Matsui back in Yanks' lineup

"On the Line."
Facing against his former team, Chan Ho Park pitched
well enough to save his spot as the 5th starter for
Philadelphia Phillies. After his outing, Park recorded his
1st victory with Phillies on Los Angeles Dodgers' expense.
(5/12)
Park stifles Dodgers for first Phils' win

"Precaution Play."
Hideki Matsui was pulled after feeling tightness
in his right hamstring, no MRI exam is planned.
(5/12)
Matsui leaves with tight hamstring

"Double Jeopardy."
Cha Seung Baek and Hiroki Kuroda are both on the DL
and their return to their team's rotation are still unknown.
(5/12)
Baek injures elbow in Minors start
Baek suffers strain, no ligament damage
Kuroda feels good after bullpen session
Kuroda throws BP session without pain

"Rehab Game #2 of 3."
Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 58 pitches during his 2nd
rehab start, he will make one more appearance for
AAA-Pawtucket then rejoin the Boston Red Sox rotation.
(5/10)
Dice-K tosses four shutout innings

"Uehara's Ugh."
Koji Uehara threw well and did his part for the
Baltimore Orioles against New York Yankees,
however his bullpen teammates blew it in the end.
(5/10)
Uehara's outing spoiled in O's loss

"Caption Contest."
Send me your caption of the photo below, 3...2...1...go!

By the way... Brandon Inge will hit more HR this season
than David Ortiz...Zack Greinke will win more games by the
all-star break than Chien-Ming Wang this entire season.
(5/9)

"Like Matsuzaka."
Chien-Ming Wang is getting close of returning, he had a
strong outing in XST and he might pitch with AA-Trenton
or AAA-Scranton/Wilkes-Barre once then get off the DL.
(5/7)
Wang strong in extended spring game

"Like Uehara."
Chan Ho Park now understand how Koji Uehara felt a day
earlier, his start was brilliant, but was the tough luck
losing pitcher with his teammate were also being shutdown.
(5/6)
Phils lose despite Park's stellar effort

"Japanese Starters."
Koji Uehara pitched well but his teammate wasted his
effort by creating three errors, in control throughout
the game, out of his 92 pitches, 72 of them were strikes.

Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his
first step of coming back from injury, he will likely start
one more game with AAA-Pawtucket before off the DL.
(5/5)
Tough luck for Uehara in loss to Rays
Little trouble for Dice-K in rehab start

"Out of Action."
Both Hong-Chih Kuo and Hiroki Kuroda's return dates are
uncertain at this point, in Kuo's case, he had some wildness
in his warm-up throws that only four out of 15 of them were
catchable and a few of them sailed over the bullpen fence.
Kuroda played catch, but he did not pitch off a mound.
(5/4)
Dodgers place Kuo on DL, call up Leach
No timetable for return of Kuroda, Kuo

"Rotation Roulette."
Chan Ho Park still have his spot in the Philadelphia Phillies'
rotation, however nothing is guaranteed with his shaky outings.
(5/2)
Park likely to make next start for Phils

"Rehab Assignment."
Daisuke Matsuzaka will pitch with AAA-Pawtucket for his
rehab assignment, this city in Rhode Island is a popular
place for any Boston Red Sox to play on their way back to
the Major League, Julio Lugo recently played there, and
Mark Kotsay is currently there with Rocco Baldelli will join the
club once he is clear by the doctor to play in game situations.

Kenji Johjima is back as he is activated from the 15-day DL.
(5/1)
Dice-K likely set for rehab start Tuesday
Mariners activate Johjima from DL

"End of April."
Kenshin Kawakami still need to get used to the 5-man starting
rotation in the MLB than the 6-man he is used to in NPB, but
he had been settled into the life of a Major Leaguer very well.

Hiroki Kuroda is still a few weeks away from returning, so far
he only made one start this season before going on the DL.
(4/30)
Kawakami to be skipped with soreness
Kawakami adapting on, off field
Kuroda improving, still weeks from return

"Japanese Jitters."
Koji Uehara took a shot into his stomach following a
pitch he made, X-Rays showed a bruised sternum
that should not sideline him for any length of time.

Daisuke Matsuzaka completed his first bullpen session,
he will do another one before heading to rehab assignments.
(4/29)
Uehara injured in loss to Angels
Dice-K pleased with bullpen session

"DL Reports."
Kenji Johjima should be activated from the DL this weekend,
all the reports regarding his recovery has been very well.

Despite being on the DL, Daisuke Matsuzaka is still traveling with
the team, after his bullpen session this weekend, he will likely
make a rehab start with AAA-Pawtucket sometime next week.
(4/28)
Johjima on target for Friday
Dice-K tests out sore right shoulder

"Matsuzaka's Matters, Cont."
Daisuke Matsuzaka had no problem threw from 120 feet, he
will pitch a bullpen session next, on his way back from injury.
(4/27)
Matsuzaka making progress

"The Chronicles of Kuroda."
Hiroki Kuroda felt sore after bullpen session, then he had his oblique
examined in Los Angeles before receiving a cortisone injection.
(4/27)
Torre: Kuroda 'a little sore' after bullpen
Kuroda to have oblique examined in LA
Kuroda gets cortisone injection

"Meet the New Met."
Ken Takahashi's performance in AAA-Buffalo is tough
to ignore by the New York Mets' front office, they called
him up after he posted a 0.77 ERA in 11 2/3 innings.

A clip of Takahashi during the NPB All-Star game.

(4/26)
Mets add Takahashi to their bullpen

"Struggling Starter."
Kenshin Kawakami's quick stat after getting pulverized
during his latest start is a 1 - 3 record, with ERA of 7.06.
(4/26)
Braves fall as Kawakami struggles

"Role of Rock Star."
Masahide Kobayashi was a rock star while he pitched in Japan, in
the US, he is no longer the closer and have to adjust to a new role.
(4/26)
Kobayashi seeks consistency, role

"XST."
With all of his minor league option being used up, Chien-Ming Wang
could only be send to the Extended Spring Training to work on his
mechanics. Wang pitched so-so against bunch of rookie league
hitters, struck out 11 in seven innings but also gave up nine hits.
It has been told that he will be placed on the DL with hip problems.
(4/25)
Wang throws in extended spring camp
Wang placed on disabled list

"Matsui & Matsuzaka's Matters."
Hideki Matsui's troublesome left knee is acting up again, he
responded to the treatment well and will not head to the DL.

Daisuke Matsuzaka is on his way back from the DL, he will
start to do long-toss throws sometime by this weekend.
(4/22)
Matsui had left knee drained Thursday
Matsui's knee responding to treatment
Injured Dice-K easing back into action

"Park's Position."
Chan Ho Park had been unimpressive during his first two starts
with his new team, Philadelphia Phillies, but manager Jerry Manuel
will stick with him as the #5 starter by giving him more chances.
(4/19)
Park's spot in rotation not yet at risk

"USA USA USA!!!"

2009 Miss USA is Kristen Dalton gave my home state of
North Carolina something else to claim to fame than the
Wright Brothers. Dalton also attended East Carolina, my
alma mater, congratulations to Kristen, Pirate Pride!!!

(4/19)

"Birthday Boys."
Your beloved webmaster turned 26 today, also celebrated
their 26th birthday are four other Major Leaguers, they're:
Alberto Callaspo, Zach Duke, Joe Mauer, and Curtis Thigpen.
(4/19)

"The Chronicles of Ichiro."
Ichiro's anticipated return, milestone quest,
and awesome greatness achievement.
(4/17)
Ichiro returns; Rowland-Smith goes on DL
Japan's hits king follows Ichiro's pursuit
Ichiro breaks Japanese hits record

"Did You Know?"
In the middle of April, did anyone expected that Kosuke Fukudome
would have been the most successful Asian player so far in 2009?
(4/16)
Fukudome's power stroke on display

"Injuries."
The season just got underway, and already there are bunch of
players who cannot stay healthy. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Kaz Matsui,
Hiroki Kuroda, and Kenji Johjima all have their own injury to take
care of, and Matsui is the only one who is not being placed on
the DL, but he is expected to miss at least a couple games.
(4/16)
Dice-K placed on disabled list
Matsui sits with back stiffness
Kuroda unlikely to return soon
Strained hamstring lands Johjima on DL

"What's Wrong?"
Well, just exactly what went wrong with Chien-Ming Wang?
his best arsenal, the sinker is not sinking, and during his
second start of the season, he got absolutely drilled, the stats
were not pretty, and being a big fan of his, I rather not get
all angry by posting it, check it under the link if you will, but
it indeed was Wang's worst outing as a Major Leaguer.
New York Yankees stumbled 15 - 5 to Tampa Bay Rays, as
Hideki Matsui went hitless in 3 At-bats, Akinori Iwamura
2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and a run scored to go with a walk.

In Daisuke Matsuzaka's defense, Boston Red Sox pulled
him from his last start and labeled him with arm fatigue,
something due to from participating World Baseball Classic.
(4/15)
Wang catches wrong kind of Rays
Wang's troubles not worrying Yanks
Facing hitters, Wang alters side routine
Dice-K pulled by Sox with arm fatigue

"Ichiro Updates, Pt. 3."
Ichiro is back with the Seattle Mariners, he will come off the
DL tomorrow and he will continue his quest of being Japan's
all-time hits leader, he is three short of the achievement.
(4/14)
Ichiro returns to clubhouse, humor intact
Ichiro set to come off DL Wednesday

"Unhappy Park."
Chan Ho Park had a rough debut with Philadelphia Phillies,
but to be honest, their entire rotation is getting hammered.
(4/11)
Park not happy about debut with Phils

"Japanese Journals."
Ichiro maintained his hot hitting streak, however the
following day when he was scheduled to have more at-bats
and play the outfield, rain played a part of his rehab schedule.

Kenshin Kawakami won his first game in MLB during his first
start, he allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks to go with
8 strikeouts. Atlanta Braves beat Washington Nationals, 5 - 3.
(4/11)
Ichiro remains hot in rehab stint
Rain ruins rehab day for Ichiro
Braves' new Japanese star defeats Nats

"Starter Scratched."
Hiroki Kuroda is the latest Asian player to be placed
on the DL, he will be eligible to play again on April 22nd.
(4/10)
Kuroda scratched from outing, sent to DL

"Bauman's Perspective."
Mark Bauman wrote an article regarding
Daisuke Matsuzaka and his pitching style.
(4/9)
Living on the edge

"Top to Bottom."
When I first saw Akinori Iwamura hitting 9th for Japan's
World Baseball Classic team, I was surprised. Tampa Bay Rays
will also drop Iwamura to the 9th spot once B.J. Upton returns
from injury. A year ago, Iwamura made a move from 3rd base
to 2nd in order to make a room for then rookie, Evan Longoria.
(4/9)
Iwamura's leadoff days numbered

"Fukudome VS. Matsui."
Kosuke Fukudome went 4-for-5 while Kaz Matsui was a little
cooler at the plate and went 1-for-5. Fukudome scored
4 runs in Chicago Cubs' 11 - 6 victory over Houston Astros.
(4/9)
Fukudome highlights victorious torrent

"Ichiro Updates, Pt. 2."
Ichiro is not 100%, but the result from his blood test shown
his condition improving and he he went 7-for-10 in some
really weak competition, though he did not play on defense.
(4/9)
Ichiro's blood test results encouraging
Ichiro gets seven hits in Minors action

"Five Years Later."
Koji Uehara and Chien-Ming Wang have squared off against
one another previously during the 2004 Olympics. Five years
after their encounter, they met once again and this time on
the MLB mound. Uehara fared quite well in his debut and
Wang was hammered in his first regular season game since
injured his right foot running the bases during the interleague
game in Houston. Baltimore Orioles beat New York Yankees, 7 - 5.
(4/8)
Wang out of his element in return

"Dodger Dudes."
Hiroki Kuroda and Hong-Chih Kuo both pitched quite well to
help Los Angeles Dodgers beat San Diego Padres 4 - 1.
(4/7)
Bullpen rescues Dodgers, Kuroda

"New Beginning."
Kosuke Fukudome is set to began his second season in the
Major League, last year he went 3-for-3 with a game tying
homer to set his bar so high that he ended up disappointing.
(4/6)
A whole new season for Fukudome

"Ichiro Updates."
The season is underway, Ichiro is on a rare trip to the DL
and there are no certain date when he will return from it.
(4/6)
Chavez gets leadoff nod in Ichiro's stead
Mariners to hang absent Ichiro's jersey
Ichiro set for blood test on Wednesday

"Play Ball."
2009 Far East Heroes page is available here, be aware that
some Minor Leaguers' season will not start until late June
when they are assigned to the rookie or short season league.
(4/5)

"Walk This Way..."
Kenshin Kawakami is known for his control during his NPB
days, but his first outing on Turner Field's mound was totally
opposite. Kawakami walked seven and hit a batter while lasting
just 2 2/3 innings. Of his 74 pitches, just 33 were strikes.
(4/4)
Kawakami suffers rare lack of control

"Comfortable Choo."
Shin-Soo Choo has had what can be described as an
accelerated Spring Training camp, of sorts, since his return
from the World Baseball Classic a week and a half ago.
(4/4)
Choo catches up after Classic

"DL Debut."
San Diego Padres' #3 starter Cha Seung Baek will be on the
15-day DL and miss up to three weeks due to his strained forearm

For the first time in nine seasons, the Seattle Mariners will
began their season without Ichiro due to a bleeding ulcer.
(4/4)
Padres' Baek opening season on DL
Ichiro exam results expected Friday
Ichiro placed on DL with bleeding ulcer
Ichiro on track to rejoin team Friday

"Birthday Boy."
Koji Uehara threw quite well on his birthday, he will be
Baltimore Orioles' #2 starter in 2009 behind Jeremy Guthrie.
(4/3)
Uehara spends b-day on the mound

"Opening Day Nod."
Only into his 2nd season, Hiroki Kuroda is already the ace of
Los Angeles Dodgers, where he is the #1 starter on the team.
(4/3)
Kuroda asked to lead Dodgers' pitching

"No Joke Here."
April 1st is our annual day where we prank our friends,
family, co-workers etc., however for these players, it is
no joke that they have indeed been released, a bunch
players got cut as we are in the end of Spring Training,
and four Asian minor leaguers will now have to find new
teams to play for, they are Korean pitchers Hyang-Nam Choi
and Sung Ki Jung, Taiwanese pitcher Yen-Feng Lin, and
Japanese pitcher Ken Takahashi. New York Mets seemed
to shown interest in Takahashi, announcements are TBA.
(4/1)
Minor League Transactions (March 21 - March 30)