Balentien sets foot on Japanese soil

Current single season record holder Wladimir Balentien arrived at Narita Airport with his wife and daughter today. He told the press that he is focusing on a complete recovery after he underwent surgery to his left achilles tendon. He said he will rather rehab and focus on getting healthy soon than rehab and being used as DH.

Due to this rehab, he will not be able to participate in the global baseball games between Europe and Samurai Japan (the all star team of the Japanese pro league NPB).

Though his doctor told him that Balentien could be ready to playin April or May, the slugger from Curacao thinks it will not take him that long to return to his team from Tokyo.

After having tried for a career in the MLB with the Mariners, Balentien ended up with the Yakult Swallows in Japan where he gained the status of a half god after breaking Sadaharu Oh’s single season homerun record in 2013.