Kuwata sprains ankle in collision with umpire
BRADENTON, Fla. — Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Masumi Kuwata, one of the best-known pitchers in Japanese baseball history, badly sprained his right ankle in a collision with plate umpire Wally Bell during a game against Toronto on Monday.
Kuwata, a nonroster pitcher not expected to make the opening-day roster, was sprinting to back up third base on center fielder Luis Matos' throw in the eighth inning when he smacked into Bell.
Bell, part of a three-man crew, was going down the line to make a possible call when Kuwata ran across his left ankle. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound Kuwata probably wasn't expecting an umpire to be near because he is accustomed to pitching in games with four umpires.
"I saw him before he saw me, and I tried to put my left hand out," said Bell, who is 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds. "His (right) spike went into my left foot."
Kuwata was taken off the field on a golf cart before going to a nearby hospital for X-rays. He was diagnosed with a Grade 3 sprain, the most severe, and will be re-examined today. The Pirates did not rule out a possible fracture because it may be masked by the swelling.
"He's done great. It's a shame," Pirates manager Jim Tracy said.
The 38-year-old Kuwata had made a strong presence during spring training, Tracy said, with a professionalism and strong work ethic that have impressed the Pirates' younger pitchers.
"Our intent had been to pitch the guy (until the end of spring training) and see what it is we have," Tracy said.
Kuwata signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates for an opportunity to possibly pitch in the majors before his career ends. The right-hander won 173 games for the Yomiuri Giants from 1986-2006 and is a former league MVP and pitcher of the year winner. But, troubled by injuries, he has only nine victories in the last four seasons.
Kuwata injured his left ankle earlier in camp, causing him to sit out for nine days. He has pitched 6X\c innings in five games, giving up seven hits and three runs, striking out four and walking two. He has a 4.05 ERA.
While Kuwata was expected to start the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, it was anticipated that he could be called up by the Pirates during the season. His fastball is no longer in the 90-mph range, but he has excellent control and is confident throwing a breaking ball with any count.
This spring, Kuwata also has rediscovered the sharp-breaking sinker he once threw effectively in Japan but, because of his arm problems, has been unable to throw for the last 10 years.
"His command is impeccable," Tracy said. "He is showing it is not really necessary to throw 93-94 mph to be successful. He can paint (the corners) with his fastball and he's not afraid of any count."
Kuwata, shadowed daily this spring by 25 to 30 Japanese writers and photographers, did not talk to reporters after getting hurt.
