The names of 34 players, featuring Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka and Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, were announced Dec. 15 in a preliminary list of candidates being recruited as Japan aims to defend its World Baseball Classic title next March.

The announcement was made at a news conference attended by Japanese team manager Tatsunori Hara and other team officials at a Tokyo hotel.

Along with Matsuzaka and Suzuki, who both helped Japan win the inaugural title in 2006, other major league candidates include Seattle catcher Kenji Jojima, Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, Tampa Bay Rays infielder Akinori Iwamura and Chicago Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

Takashi Saito, who has become a free agent after the Dodgers did not tender him a contract for next season, was also named but New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui did not make the list as he has been officially ruled out of the WBC by the Yankees since he must focus on rehabilitation of his knee ahead of next season.