Dodgers' Kida, Interpreter Injured in Car Accident

[GaryMrMets]

Dodgers' Kida, Interpreter Injured in Car Accident

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Los Angeles Dodgers minor league pitcher Masao Kida and his Japanese interpreter were seriously injured Saturday night in a head-on collision near Orlando.

The 34-year-old Kida, who was driving, was taken to Wusstoff Regional Hospital with a broken toe, bruised spleen and an injury to his lower back. He sat out last season while recovering from back surgery.

Teppei Shiokawa, 27, was in critical but stable condition at Orlando Regional Hospital after having a ruptured spleen removed and ruptured bowels repaired. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The two were believed to be headed to Orlando from Vero Beach for dinner and shopping.

Kida pitched 49 games for the Detroit Tigers in 1999 and two games in 2000 before being released. He returned to Japan in 2001.

[Steffo]

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[GaryMrMets]

Dodgers' Kida Leaves Hospital

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Minor league pitcher Masao Kida of the Los Angeles Dodgers was released from a hospital, two days after being injured in a car accident

Kida, 34, was hospitalized with a broken toe, bruised spleen and lower back injury following the accident.

Teppei Shiokawa, a passenger in the vehicle driven by Kida and the interpreter for Dodgers pitchers Hideo Nomo and Kazuhisa Ishii, had exploratory surgery, team spokesman Derrick Hall said.

Kida, who signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers last month, was driving a vehicle that was hit head-on late Saturday.

Kida pitched in the majors for Detroit in 1999 and 2000 after a career in Japan. He was 1-0 with a 6.42 ERA in 51 games for the Tigers.

Shiokawa, 27, was airlifted to Orlando Regional Hospital following the accident and had surgery to remove a ruptured spleen and repair ruptured bowels.

[hank freid info]

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:banana: