Football
Associated Press 17y

Iwamura could return next week

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays third baseman
Akinori Iwamura could return from a right oblique strain on Monday.

The former Japanese League star was placed on the 15-day
disabled list April 24. The Devil Rays' biggest offseason
acquisition was injured swinging the bat on a fifth-inning double
one day earlier.

Iwamura was hitting .339 with one homer, five RBIs and 15 runs
scored in 18 games. He played in his second extended spring
training game Wednesday.

"He's doing very well," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said.
"He hasn't felt any pulling sensation in his side."

A final decision is not expected until this weekend.

A six-time Gold Glove third baseman in Japan, Iwamura agreed to
a $7.7 million, three-year contract in December. The Devil Rays
paid a posting fee of $4.55 million, hiking their investment in the
former Yakult Swallows star to $12.25 million.

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