DeNA’s Taira has Tommy John

DeNA BayStars starting pitcher Kentaro Taira underwent Tommy John surgery on Monday in Yokohama, Nikkan Sports reported.

The 25-year-old had been feeling stiffness in the elbow from the start of the season, but pitched in two Eastern League rehab starts on May 16, when he worked three scoreless innings, and again on May 23, when he gave p three runs in four innings and threw 72 pitches.

Although he said he was conflicted about having surgery, the decision — going from pitching to surgery in 17 days, is light speed for Japan.

Vaccinated players to get special treatment

NPB announced Monday that players vaccinated as members of Japan’s Olympic team who suffer side effects can be deactivated and reactivated according to the COVID-19 rules when they are fit to play without waiting the usual 10 days to be reactivated, Nikkan Sports reported Monday.

The Olympic team is expected to be named by the middle of this month.

Starting pitchers

Interleague

Fighters vs Tigers: Sapporo Dome 6 pm, 5 am EDT

Naoyuki Uwasawa (5-2, 3.18) vs Yuki Nishi (3-3, 3.18)

Eagles vs Dragons: Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi 6 pm, 5 am EDT

Takayuki Kishi (2-4, 4.47) vs Yuya Yanagi (5-1, 1.41)

Lions vs BayStars: MetLife Dome 5:45 pm, 4:45 am EDT

Wataru Matsumoto (4-3, 2.84) vs Michael Peoples (2-1, 3.12)

Marines vs Swallows: Zozo Marine Stadium 5:45 pm, 4:45 am EDT

Kota Futaki (2-3, 3.42) vs Yasunobu Okugawa (2-1, 4.64)

Buffaloes vs Giants: Kyocera Dome (Osaka) 6 pm, 5 am EDT

Taisuke Yamaoka (3-4, 3.92) vs Nobutaka Imamura (2-2, 2.83)

Hawks vs Carp: PayPay Dome 6 pm, 5 am EDT

Shota Takeda (3-3, 2.58) vs Daichi Osera (2-2, 3.26)

Active roster moves 6/7/2021

Deactivated players can be re-activated from 6/17

Central League

Activated

None

Dectivated

Pacific League

Activated

None

Dectivated