Yakult Swallows lefty Keiji Takahashi is among the three pitchers who will complete Japan's 30-man roster for the World Baseball Classic, a source familiar with the matter said Monday.
The Nippon Ham Fighters' Hiromi Ito and fellow right-hander Yuki Udagawa of the Orix Buffaloes, will join Takahashi, as skipper Hideki Kuriyama is set to include 15 pitchers in his roster for the March tournament.
Kuriyama on Jan. 6 announced the first 12 men, led by Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani and San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish, who will be the team's oldest member at 36, for the fifth edition of the tournament.
The official confirmation of the 30 players is expected by the end of the month.
Two-time champion Japan is scheduled to play its Pool B opener on March 9 against China at Tokyo Dome. The semifinals and final will be played in Miami, Florida, between March 19 and 21.
