Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta reacts after getting New York Yankees batter Bobby Abreu for the final out at first base in the eighth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, June 9, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

New York Yankees batter Bobby Abreu (R) is out at first base as Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta (L) covers for the final out in the eighth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, June 9, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

New York Yankees batter Bobby Abreu (L) is out at first base as Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta covers for the final out in the eighth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, June 9, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta winds up a pitch in the ninth inning during the Royals' win over the New York Yankees in their MLB American League baseball game in Kansas City, Missouri, April 9, 2008. REUTERS/Dave Kaup (UNITED STATES) 

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta warms up before the ninth inning during the Royals' win over the New York Yankees in their MLB American League baseball game in Kansas City, Missouri, April 9, 2008. REUTERS/Dave Kaup (UNITED STATES) 

Kansas City Royals pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta (R) slaps hands with pitcher Gil Meche before the Royals' home opener win against the New York Yankees in their MLB American League baseball game in Kansas City, Missouri, April 8, 2008. REUTERS/Dave Kaup (UNITED STATES) 

South Korean batter Sung Heon Hong is hit in the wrist by a pitch from Japanese pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta in the eighth inning of their semi-final game of the World Baseball Classic in San Diego, March 18, 2006. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson