Akinori

Otsuka

An MRI isn’t necessary, but Otsuka could be rested for up to a week. It was a surprise that Otsuka was able to maintain such a heavy workload last season after averaging 50 innings per year in Japan. He may have some problems this year.

Otsuka had a mound session postponed the previous day due to tenderness in his right shoulder.

Ostuka, who missed an appearance last week with hip and back stiffness, again is day-to-day.

Otsuka will earn $700,000 next season and $800,000 in 2005. The option is for $1.75 million and includes a $200,000 buyout clause. He could earn slightly more in bonuses based on games finished, but that would be possible only if he becomes the closer. He’ll open next year third in line for saves.

The Mets played last night’s game under protest because they say Otsuka is illegally gaining deception and should be called for a balk. Otsuka separates his hands upon swinging back to start his delivery, after which he puts the ball back into the glove. Hopefully, the league will leave him alone- Otsuka has a 0.64 ERA.

Otsuka has been one of the NL’s top setup men, but as the league gets used to him and he gets tired he could become more hittable.

Otsuka is 11-for-13 in save opps, with both of his blown chances coming on walkoff homers against the AL East powers. The Yankees’ Jorge Posada delivered the previous homer. Otsuka is still pitching well enough to keep his job as the Rangers’ closer, though Francisco Cordero has posted slightly better results since the beginning of May.

Otsuka retired all three hitters he faced after Francisco Cordero pitched himself in and out of a jam in the eighth. The separation between the two has grown quite a bit over the last week.

Starter John Koronka was lit up for six runs while retiring just four batters to start the game, but the bullpen stepped it up after Koronka departed. Josh Rupe, Joaquin Benoit, Ron Mahay, and Otsuka combined to throw 7 2/3 scoreless innings of relief while striking out seven and walking one. Otsuka hasn’t posted an ERA higher than 3.00 in any month this season, and he’s also yet to allow a run in eight innings during August.

Francisco Cordero set him up with a scoreless eighth. With a one-run lead, Otsuka walked Adam Kennedy to start the ninth. Chone Figgins then hit into a fielder’s choice that erased the lead runner. Surprisingly, with Figgins on first, manager Mike Scioscia decided to be passive for once. Figgins didn’t run and Orlando Cabrera grounded back to the mound for a game-ending double play.