Yu Darvish Won’t Pitch for Japan

ARLINGTON, Tex. (AP) - Yu Darvish won't pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic next spring, choosing instead to focus on preparing for his second major league season.

The Texas Rangers right-hander issued a statement Tuesday saying he made the decision after much deliberation, including consultation with his coaches and trainers.

Darvish pitched for Japan in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, then helped his home country win its second consecutive World Baseball Classic title in 2009. He went 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 13 innings while pitching five games in the WBC. He was on the mound for the final out in the championship game against South Korea.

In the statement issued through his representatives, Arn Tellem and Don Nomura, the 26-year-old Darvish called it "a very difficult decision" because it's a tremendous honor to represent Japan.

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