PEORIA, Ariz. — San Diego Padres left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui has been officially ruled out of representing Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic due to a persistent left groin strain. The injury, sustained just over a week ago, has also cast significant doubt on his availability for the Padres’ season opener against the Detroit Tigers on March 26.
The 30-year-old pitcher remains in a cautious rehabilitation phase, currently limited to throwing on flat ground as of Thursday. His progression to mound work has no definitive timeline. Through a translator, Matsui stated, ‘I am continuing my throwing progression, gradually increasing the intensities and distances. Once it is sufficient, I will begin throwing off the mound, but we do not yet know when that will be.’
This development is a substantial setback for the defending WBC champion Japanese national team, for which Matsui was a selected roster member. He has been replaced by Yumeto Kanemaru, a left-hander from the Chunichi Dragons. Expressing his disappointment, Matsui said, ‘I was looking forward to playing with them.’ He remains optimistic about Japan’s chances, hoping to watch their games live if they advance to the final round in Miami, despite the time zone challenges for the earlier matches in Tokyo.
Matsui’s injury concerns the Padres, who signed him to a five-year, $28 million contract prior to the 2024 season. Before his move to Major League Baseball, the pitcher established an illustrious career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Over a decade with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, he compiled a remarkable 2.40 ERA, 236 saves, and a 1.11 WHIP. A five-time All-Star and the youngest pitcher ever to reach 200 saves in NPB history, Matsui led the Pacific League in saves three times (2019, 2022, 2023) after making his debut at just 18 years old in 2014.