It was announced that Pitcher Kaima Taira of Seibu, who had been selected for the WBC (World Baseball Classic) Japan national team, will withdraw from the tournament. The reason is that he suffered a strain in his left calf during training camp. Pitcher Taira commented, "I had a strong desire to contribute to the team, but I want to focus on healing properly." Accordingly, Pitcher Shoma Fujihira of Rakuten was additionally selected as a replacement player. Pitcher Fujihira also performed well in last year's "Premier 12" and is expected to be a savior for the national team.
V-ていた= Had been doing; was doing (past continuous or state)Vる+ことが発表される= It is announced that (someone) will do something〜ため= Because of; due to (formal reason)Vる+ことに専念する= To focus solely on doing somethingNに伴い= Along with; as a result of; accompanying NNとして= As; in the capacity of
Learning Notes
Grammar Patterns
Pattern
Meaning
V-ていた
Had been doing; was doing (past continuous or state)
Vる+ことが発表される
It is announced that (someone) will do something
〜ため
Because of; due to (formal reason)
Vる+ことに専念する
To focus solely on doing something
Nに伴い
Along with; as a result of; accompanying N
Nとして
As; in the capacity of
Vocabulary
Word
Reading
Level
Meaning
日本代表
にほんだいひょう
N3
Japan national team
出場
しゅつじょうする
N3
to participate in (a game/event)
代わり
かわり
N3
substitute; replacement
追加
ついかする
N3
to add
活躍
かつやくする
N3
to play an active role; to excel
しっかりと
しっかりと
N3
firmly; properly; reliably
辞退
じたいする
N1
to withdraw; to decline
ふくらはぎ
ふくらはぎ
N1
calf
肉離れ
にくばなれ
N1
muscle strain; torn muscle
貢献
こうけんする
N1
to contribute
専念
せんねんする
N1
to focus; to dedicate oneself
伴う
ともなう
N1
to accompany; to follow
選出
せんしゅつする
N1
to select; to elect
救世主
きゅうせいしゅ
N1
savior
Language Insights
•The term '肉離れ' (nikubanare) literally means 'meat separation,' which is a vivid way to describe a muscle strain or tear.
•The word '辞退' (jitai) is a formal way to decline an offer or position, commonly used in professional and sports contexts.
•WBC (World Baseball Classic) is a major international baseball tournament where players represent their countries, similar to the World Cup in soccer.