Kuwata to retire?

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- Right-handed pitcher Masumi Kuwata will announce his retirement after today's Pirates-Tigers exhibition game at McKechnie Field, according to published reports.
The 39-year-old Kuwata, who became the first Japanese player to appear in a game for Pittsburgh last June at Yankee Stadium, will choose to retire instead of going to Triple-A Indianapolis to start the season.
Kuwata was 1-0 this spring with a 1.80 ERA and three strikeouts in five innings. Last season, he went 0-1 in 19 games for the Pirates with a 9.43 ERA.
Kuwata compiled a 173-141 record with Japan's Yomiuri Giants from 1986-2006.