On the same day they had representatives in Japan to recruit 18-year-old pitching sensation Yusei Kikuchi, the Mets released veteran Japanese reliever Ken Takahashi.

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Yesterday’s move leaves the Mets with 39 players on their maximum 40-man roster. Takahashi, 40, had been signed late in spring training after his release by the Blue Jays. The left-hander, who also spent time at AAA Buffalo, was 0-1 with a 2.86 ERA in 28 appearances for the Mets.

This was Takahashi’s first season in the U.S. after a lengthy career in his native country.