Hideki Okajima Fails Yankees Physical

Times keep getting tougher for Hideki Okajima, who reportedly failed his physical with the New York Yankees and will not attend their spring training camp. Okajima, the former Boston Red Sox reliever, had signed a minor league deal with the Yankees.

Okajima spent five seasons with the Red Sox, including a stellar first season in which he posted a 2.22 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 66 games. He was named to the All-Star team and finished sixth in AL Rookie of the Year balloting. In 261 career games, all with the Sox, Okajima has a 3.11 ERA with 215 strikeouts, 86 walks and a 1.25 WHIP.

After allowing four earned runs and seven hits in 8.1 innings through seven games last season, Okajima was designated for assignment and sent to Triple-A Pawtucket, where he was 8-1 with a 2.29 ERA in 51 innings.

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.