BayStars void Gurriel’s contract

Yokohama BayStars general manager Shigeru Takada revealed Thursday that the club has informed infielder Yulieski Gurriel that his contract has been nullified.

Gurriel was scheduled to arrive in Japan at the end of March following the conclusion of Cuba’s domestic season, but has cited a thigh injury as his reason for not arriving on time. According to Takada, Gurriel indicated his intention to have his injury treated in Cuba before traveling to Japan, but with no apparent timetable and no evidence of the injury, the team has decided to cut him.

“He doesn’t fully understand what a contract is,” said Takada, who recently dispatched an envoy to Cuba to bring the player back. “He wouldn’t budge from having his treatment first.”

Last season, Gurriel played in 62 games for the BayStars. He posted a .305 batting average with 11 home runs. He was to receive $3 million this season (roughly ¥358.7 million).

In the offseason, the BayStars also signed Gurriel’s 21-year-old brother, infielder Lourdes Jr. to a two-year deal. The younger Gurriel has also not arrived for this season due to a left-wrist injury.