NPB manager to suggest players for WBC squad

Nippon Professional Baseball confirmed Monday that it will ask the 12 team managers in Japan's pro leagues in a questionnaire to nominate players for the country's 2013 World Baseball Classic 40-man roster.

The matter was discussed at a meeting of representatives from NPB's 12 teams. Because the policy is for the manager selected by NPB commissioner Ryozo Kato to have the final say on players, the results of the survey are expected to provide a body of reference for those decisions.

As far as the process of selecting that manager, no details of the selection process were said to have been discussed.

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Yankees cut Fukudome from Triple-A squad

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome was released from his minor league contract by the Class AAA Scranton Wilkes/Barre Yankees, the team announced Monday.

The 35-year-old outfielder began the season with the Chicago White Sox. Used primarily as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement, Fukudome batted .171 in 24 games before going on the disabled list in June with a rib injury. The White Sox released him on June 28. He signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees in July, but was never called up to the parent club.

Scranton, which qualified for the International League playoffs, released Fukudome on the final day of its regular season.

Fukudome, the 2006 Central League MVP and a member of Japan's two World Baseball Classic title-winning teams, has a career major league average of .258 in 596 major league games, mostly with the Chicago Cubs. He finished the 2011 season with the Cleveland Indians.

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Honda, Kagawa named to Japan squad for international friendly

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni on Friday recalled CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda and also picked Borussia Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa in a 23-man squad for next week's World Cup qualifying warmup against Azerbaijan in Shizuoka.

Zaccheroni also named Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo and Bolton Wanderers striker Ryo Miyaichi among 10 European-based players for next Wednesday's game, which serves as a tuneup ahead of three final-round World Cup qualifiers in June against Oman, Jordan and Australia in Asian zone Group B.

"This game will give me a good chance to look at the condition of the European-based players and new candidates that are in form in the J.League," said Zaccheroni.

Honda, the driving force as the Blue Samurai reached the second round of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, has not played for Japan since last August, when he scored in a 3-0 defeat of South Korea in a friendly in Sapporo.

He suffered a right-knee injury in a Russian Premier League game against Spartak Moscow later that month and spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery in Spain.

"I haven't seen him (Honda) play since August. He is still recovering so I want to have a good look at his condition in training," said Zaccheroni. "If he appears OK, then, of course, I am going to give him a game."

Ariajasuru Hasegawa was handed his first callup and was among four FC Tokyo players, including Japan Under-23 goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda. No players from Gamba Osaka, Cerezo Osaka, Nagoya Grampus or Sagan Tosu were picked as they are involved in J.League action next Friday.

"Hasegawa is doing really well in the J.League and has shown his quality in the middle of the park. I want to see in training if he deserves to play for the national team," said Zaccheroni.

The Italian tactician has also recalled Novara striker Takayuki Morimoto as cover for injured Southampton striker Tadanari Lee.

"He (Morimoto) has been playing pretty well for his club, and with Lee injured and unable to play I have given him the call," said Zaccheroni

Japan takes on Oman and Jordan at Saitama Stadium 2002 on June 3 and 8, respectively, before traveling to Brisbane to take on the Socceroos on June 12. Zaccheroni's men have also been drawn against Iraq in the final round.

The squad:

Goalkeepers — Eiji Kawashima (Lierse), Shusaku Nishikawa (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo)

Defenders — Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Yuzo Kurihara (Yokohama F Marinos), Yuhei Tokunaga (FC Tokyo), Masahiko Inoha (Vissel Kobe), Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan), Tomoaki Makino (Urawa Reds), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke), Hiroki Sakai (Kashiwa Reysol)

Midfielders — Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg), Hajime Hosogai (Augsburg), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow), Hideto Takahashi (FC Tokyo), Ariajasuru Hasegawa (FC Tokyo)

Forwards — Ryoichi Maeda (Jubilo Iwata), Shinji Okazaki (Stuttgart), Takayuki Morimoto (Novara), Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund), Genki Haraguchi (Urawa Reds), Ryo Miyaichi (Bolton Wanderers)

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Paceman Harris named to squad for second test

MELBOURNE, Australia — Oft-injured paceman Ryan Harris, added Friday to Australia's 12-man squad for the second test against India, doesn't fancy his chances of cracking the starting 11 that beat the visitors by 122 runs in the first test.

Harris, who is working his way back from a hip injury, will give Australia the option of a four-man pace attack. He replaces left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who was the 12th man in Melbourne, in the only change to the side.

Although the Sydney Cricket Ground has traditionally been a spin-friendly wicket, it may be prepared to suit paceman this time to negate India's strength against spin bowling. If so, Harris could join a four-man pace attack while offspinner Nathan Lyon is demoted to 12th man.

Harris was regarded as Australia's No. 1 fast bowler before his injury absence, but the performances of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus in the first-test victory have cast doubts on whether Harris can force his way onto the team.

Harris boasts a record of 35 wickets at 21.37 in eight tests, but says he's concerned that his next injury blow could spell the end of his career.

"I'm down the pecking order," Harris said Friday. "It's my fault that I got injured and all I'm trying to do is just get fit and let it take care of itself."

Allrounder Shane Watson has not recovered from a calf injury and will miss the test which starts on Tuesday.

Watson's continued absence ensures the six batsmen from the Melbourne test will be retained, although the strong performances of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey had already ensured their spots. Wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin is also safe, despite his continued poor form.

Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said the team would take great confidence and momentum into the second test and he welcomed Harris' return to the squad.

"Ryan has had carefully monitored preparation, which has gone to plan," Inverarity said. "Mitchell Starc and Daniel Christian, who were both in the squad for the first test, have been omitted but remain very much in our thinking."

Sachin Tendulkar will again be seeking to notch his record 100th international century when he plays at the SCG. He hasn't scored 100 in a test or one-day match since March, but looked in top form in his first-innings 73 at the MCG before being out for 32 in India's second innings.

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Okajima headed to Triple-A squad

Boston — Boston Red Sox left-handed reliever Hideki Okajima has cleared waivers and will be outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket, the Red Sox said Tuesday.

Okajima, who was designated for assignment last week, will join up with the team on Thursday.

"No teams came in for me and I will stay here in the minors," Okajima said in a blog entry on his website.

The 35-year-old last pitched in the majors on May 9 against the Minnesota Twins and is 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA in seven appearances this season.

Okajima started the season in the minors for the first time after losing a tight race in spring training. He was called up by the Red Sox on April 18.

Okajima played a significant role in the Red Sox's run to the 2007 World Series title by posting a 2.22 ERA in a team-high 66 regular-season games.

He has pitched in at least 56 games in each of the past four seasons.

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With veteran squad, Celts keep Rivers

NEW YORK — So my opinion (contrary to citing a source; incredible how many English-speaking and, I assume, reading people don't know the difference) concerning what Doc Rivers was doing and what he would do was incorrect.

There goes my vision of a Rick Pitino revival meeting.

After actually giving the situation some thought, the Celtics had no other choice but to re-sign their coach for five years and $35 million (a vast reward for keeping his mouth caulked when Danny Ainge screwed up the roster and rhythm at trade deadline) even if he finishes only three-fifths of the contract before getting fired.

The thing is, when coaches like Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan and potentially Rivers leave the pulpit there's a colossal chasm to fill, especially when sacrosanct veterans are left behind.

How easy do you think it would be for a new guy to get Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to buy into his command?

That's why it makes sense for the Lakers to hire someone like Rick Adelman or Mike Dunleavy vs. untested assistant Brian Shaw despite Kobe's unequivocal endorsement; in time, Bryant will accept either of the older guys or someone on their level.

However, having signed off on all of the above, paying $7 million per season to a coach (one title) not named Jackson (11) or Gregg Popovich(four) is preposterous . . . particularly now when the NBA is howling at the prospects of losing (another?) $380 million this season.

Seems like David Stern might want to insist owners include the contracts of coaching staffs in their team's salary cap. Let's see how many assistants the head guy will hire then.

Afterthought: I guess Rivers' son, Austin, isn't worth watching in person after all.

* * *

Announcer Michael Kay concludes Isiah Thomas should be given credit for Zach Randolph's harvest this season, as well as Jamal Crawford's productivity with the Hawks.

Aside from Kay's view being back-to-front, inside-out and crooked, his position is almost on target.

Had Thomas guided the Knicks anywhere worthwhile when coaching the pair, he would have deserved praise. What they're doing for their respective successful clubs makes him look worse.

In any event, the ghost of Elvis prepared the Grizzlies pregame meal of fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

Unfortunately, Eddy Curry and Jerome James (recruited to New York by Thomas), were hired to deliver them.

Before moving on to the Heat-Bulls hoedown, think about the nightmarish flashback Jack Nicholson must have had after the Mavericks smothered his team in four straight:

I put zero weight into Chicago's three-game skid against Miami (one minus LeBron James) during the regular season . . . unless, of course, Chris Bosh decides to unleash another 1-for-18 field goal onslaught.

Here's what concerns me about the Heat, which has to embezzle at least one game in Oprahville. LeBron James & Co. appeared so amped to take down the Old Green Mare that Pat Riley might want to remind them they're only halfway to paradise.

My Grand Prix trainer would jerk me out of the saddle if I celebrated after overcoming turns and distances I had failed to navigate before when there are two additional difficult obstacles ahead.

"What will LeBron do if he wins the conference finals?" column contributor Mike Lione wonders. "Pass out! Set himself on fire! Demand a pyramid of his likeness in the sands of South Beach!"

You don't have to steal money from TNT, ESPN or NBA-TV to comprehend the team that zip-locks its opponent most often will prevail. As renowned as the Bulls are for their premeditated and incessant defense, the Heat have the length, quickness and desire to bewitch, bother and bewilder more effectively.

Particularly since Dwyane Wade matches up with Derrick Rose as well as anyone in creation.

My staff finds it interesting that everyone is going wild over the Bulls' defense being ranked first in field-goal defense this season. Imagine that; the brainpower of (Coach of the Year) Tom Thibodeau was able to lift Chicago all the way up from third place in that category, which is where Vinny Del Negro and defensive assistant Bob Ociepka had it the previous year before being fired.

Taking nothing away from what Thibodeau accomplished, but where credit is due, it should be acknowledged.

True, the Bulls gave up more points per game under Del Negro. Still, field goal defense is generally regarded as a better barometer of the defense being played.

Regardless, this season's Bulls' edition didn't come from nowhere to do what it has done, and the addition of several big bodies—Carlos Boozer, Kurt Thomas and Omer Asik—had to help. Moreover, the leftovers are a year smarter.

Again, not to sleet on Thibodeau's show, but Del Negro got waxed for his effort with a constantly regressing roster—making the Bulls competitive in two consecutive playoff presentations and got little internal support and no acclaim.

Meanwhile, these Bulls play at a pace rated 23rd vs. 11th for Del Negro. His Bulls took 250 more shots, including field goals and free throws; Thibodeau's team went to the line more often.

The point is, this was not a miracle job, as squawking heads would have you believe, simply an improvement.

Peter Vecsey covers the NBA for the New York Post.

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Japan national hoop squad beefs up competition before important qualification tournaments

All for one: Members of the Japan men's national basketball team, including coach Thomas Wisman (in jacket), have started preparations for this summer's regional and continental tournaments. KYODO

The Japan Basketball Association and men's national team head coach Thomas Wisman have selected a bigger group of players to spark more intense competition inside, while having them peak at the right time.

Wisman announced the 42 players on the provisional national team early last week and divided them into three groups for the first time.

Group One (17 players) is the so-called "A-team," featuring signature names such as Yuta Tabuse, Takehiko Orimo, Takumi Ishizaki and twin brothers Joji and Kosuke Takeuchi.

The second group (14) consists of A-team-caliber players and the JBA wants to have them earn experience in national team jerseys. The majority of the third group players (11) are either from colleges or even high schools. Wisman explained that by using having that many players, it can give rest time for everybody, especially the veterans.

"In the program we have, we're actually excited about all three groups," Wisman said. "We're excited about the prospects that we have, the young kids.

"We're excited about the players we have in Group Two. We'll push them to compete for spots (on the final 12-man roster for the Asian Championships). And we are happy in the Group One we have, their commitment from what we consider to be the main players, the best players in Japan."

The biggest tasks of this year for Wisman's squad lie in two Asian tournaments, which lead to next year's London Summer Olympics.

Japan will compete in the East Asian Championship (June 10-15 in Nanjing, China) to earn a berth in the Asian Championship (Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China).

Top three finishers (except for host China) in the six-nation East Asia Championship earn spots in the Asian Championship. The winning team in the Asian Championship grabs a berth in the 2012 London Olympics and second- and third-finishers advance to the world final Olympic qualifier next year.

Japan's men's team has not made it to an Olympics since the 1976 Montreal Games.

Team Japan will also play some exhibitions during the course of training, along with some other international tournaments.

Tabuse, a former Phoenix Suns guard, said that it is more significant for the players to have a stronger will to make the Olympics.

"As much as we have to improve our techniques," said Tabuse, who plays for the Link Tochigi Brex of the JBL, "we have to have responsibility with the Japanese flag behind our back."

Tabuse, a 30-year-old point guard, added that as one of the experienced veterans he intends to take the leaderships to guide the team in the right direction.

"As a playmaker, I understand what type of basketball coach wants us to play," he said. "So I want to convey that to the team as much as I can."

Wisman said that he is happy how the A-team players committed themselves to the grave task.

"I think, this year being the qualifying year (for the London Olympics), we received strong commitment from all of our best players," he said. "They want to be part of the program. They want to earn spots and represent Japan."

Former UCLA standout Charles O'Bannon, a Toshiba Brave Thunders player, is likely to be added to the team once he gets Japanese citizenship he's currently waiting for.

Japan saw dark time in the last several years as it finished eighth and 10th, respectively, in the last two Asian Championship tourneys in 2007 and 2009. But it took a positive step forward last year, advancing to the semifinals in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, in December.

"Coach told us, 'I want you guys to be Olympians when your careers are over,' " Tabuse said. "We want to live up to the expectation."

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