Investigative sources say police have sent papers on Japanese professional baseball slugger Yamakawa Hotaka to prosecutors for alleged sexual assault of a female acquaintance.
The 31-year-old Saitama Seibu Lions infielder is suspected of assaulting the woman in her 20s at a hotel in Tokyo last November.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police had been investigating the matter, including interviewing Yamakawa, after receiving a report from the woman.
Sources say police on Tuesday sent the papers to prosecutors, attaching an opinion saying the decision on whether to indict Yamakawa should be left to them.
The team removed Yamakawa from its first team roster on May 12, citing his need for conditioning.
Last season, Yamakawa hit 41 homers and drove in 90 runs, for his third Pacific League home run title and his first Pacific League RBI title.
He also played for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in March. Japan won the tournament.