Ailing slugger Despaigne deactivated

Newly acquired Cuban slugger Alfredo Despaigne has been deactivated from the Chiba Lotte Marines active roster after being diagnosed with a lower back injury, the Pacific League club said Thursday.

Despaigne complained of pain in his right midriff and was replaced during the Marines’ 8-2 win over the Orix Buffaloes on Wednesday. He is expected to need two weeks to make a full recovery.

“I’m not sure how long it will take (him to return to action). He is in a bit of pain,” Lotte manager Tsutomu Ito said of Despaigne, who only joined the Marines last month.

Despaigne, a three-time MVP in Cuba’s domestic league and a member of the country’s World Baseball Classic team, has a .233 batting average with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 20 games.