TOKYO (AP) – World Series MVP Manny Ramirez has pulled out of Major League Baseball’s tour of Japan because of a sore left hamstring.

The Boston slugger had been bothered by soreness in his left hamstring since arriving in Japan. He was the designated hitter in the opening game of the series Friday. He sat out Game 2 on Saturday and came out midway through Game 3 on Sunday.

“I tried to play to the end,” Ramirez said. “But I decided it’s best for me to return now and rest. I regret not being able to participate till the end of the tour and had a great time here.”

Ramirez was examined by doctors traveling with the major league team and was advised it would be best not to take any chances.

Ramirez left Japan Monday afternoon on a flight bound for Chicago. Along with teammate David Ortiz, Ramirez was the biggest draw on the tour. It was his second trip to Japan as part of a major league tour.

Before Game 3 on Sunday, Ramirez took part in a home run derby along with Hank Blalock of the Texas Rangers. The two major leaguers lost 6-4 to Japanese players Hitoshi Tamura and Akinori Iwamura.

The teams next play in Fukuoka on Tuesday before traveling to Osaka, Sapporo and Nagoya. The series ends Nov. 14 in Tokyo.

AP-ES-11-08-04 0601EST