P Sasaki, 21, will start for Japan in WBC semifinal

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MIAMI -- Roki Sasaki, potentially the best pitcher in the world who's not in the major leagues, will take the ball for Japan in its World Baseball Classic semifinal matchup against Mexico from LoanDepot Park on Monday, Japanese manager Hideki Kuriyama announced after his team's workout Sunday.
Last April, while starring for the Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki threw 17 consecutive perfect innings, retiring 52 consecutive batters in the process.
Sasaki struck out 19 batters in a perfect game -- the first for Japan's top professional league since 1994 -- and was pulled after eight perfect innings in the start that followed.
Sasaki has said he longs to play in the major leagues, but there have been no indications of when -- or if -- his team will post him.