Masumi

Kuwata

Kuwata remains undecided if he will attempt to find a spot with another team during the 2008 season.

Kuwata has been out since spring training when he severely sprained his ankle. He could be added to the Pirates’ bullpen by the All-Star break.

The 39-year-old Kuwata is coming back from a badly sprained ankle suffered late in spring training. The Pirates will consider trying him as a middle reliever if he performs well in the minors.

Franquelis Osoria has been carrying an ERA in the low-2.00s for Indianapolis, but the Pirates bypass him and turn to the 39-year-old Kuwata just a week after his season debut. The soft-tossing right-handed had thrown 4 1/3 scoreless innings for Indianapolis.

Kuwata had allowed just four hits in 10 2/3 innings since being called up June 9. He allowed five hits and walked two while retiring only two batters tonight. This gives him a 7.94 ERA in 11 1/3 innings.

Giving up five runs Monday figured to be the end of the line for Kuwata. The 39-year-old had a 9.43 ERA and a 12/15 K/BB ratio in 21 innings for the Pirates. Little more should have been expected, considering that his best seasons in Japan came more than 10 years ago.

Kuwata went home to Japan last year after being cut by the Pirates in August, but he’s coming back for one more try at age 39. The Pirates have also reportedly signed Adam Bernero, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, and they’re still looking to add Chad Durbin.

The 40-year-old had a strong start to the spring, allowing just one run in five innings, but the Pirates hadn’t used him since March 18 and he wasn’t going to make the roster. Kuwata reportedly turned down an opportunity to coach with the Pirates, and will likely head back to Japan.

All of Kuwata’s best seasons came more than 10 years ago, and he’s thrown over 100 innings just once this decade. It seems unlikely that there will be much interest in him from MLB teams. He may only be a candidate for a minor league deal.

Kuwata, a 21-year veteran of the Japanese Leagues, spent most of last season in the minors. He’s a free agent, so he doesn’t need to be posted. However, he’s probably not worthy of more than a minor league deal.