Akinori Iwamura

Akinori Iwamura, who played in last year's World Series, says he is excited about the new challenge he faces - helping the woeful Pittsburgh Pirates snap a record 17-year playoff drought.The Japanese second baseman was traded to from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Pirates late Tuesday, becoming the highest-paid player on the Pittsburgh roster with a deal expiring after 2010 that pays him 4.85 million dollars next season."Very exciting," Iwamura said. "I proved last year that I can play at a high...Read Full Story

Second baseman Akinori Iwamura's aim was to turn a double play for the Tampa Bay Rays, and that's what happened — but not the way he planned.A bizarre sequence ended with Iwamura writhing on the grass due to a knee injury, and with Florida's John Baker out at the plate to complete a 1-4-6-2 double play that kept the score tied.Iwamura was carted off the field. After the Rays' 5-4 loss in 11 innings he sat in the clubhouse, his left leg wrapped and propped on a chair.The infielder is in his...Read Full Story

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The American League champion Tampa Bay Rays have been hit by injuries to their middle infield and bullpen as they try to keep pace in the AL East.Second baseman Akinori Iwamura has been ruled out for the season with a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee suffered turning a double play on Sunday against the Marlins."You feel for him," Rays manager Joe Maddon told Major League Baseball website mlb.com."He was probably playing as well as I've seen him in his overall game...Read Full Story

Tampa Bay's Japanese second baseman Akinori Iwamura will miss the rest of the major league baseball season with a torn ligament in his left knee, the team said on Monday.Iwamura was hurt as he tried to turn a double play in the eighth inning on Sunday against the Florida Marlins and was stretchered off the field.Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Iwamura will have surgery once the swelling in the knee subsides.The infielder, a veteran of Japan's Central...Read Full Story

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura hurt his left leg when he was hit while trying to turn a double play and has been carted off the field.The game was delayed six minutes Sunday while trainers tended to Iwamura. He departed sitting up in the cart.With runners at first and second and one out in the eighth inning, Florida's Wes Helms hit a one-hopper to pitcher Dan Wheeler, who spun and threw to second. Iwamura took the throw for a forceout, and was ready to throw to first with his...Read Full Story