FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Pirates' Masumi Kuwata has no break in his severely sprained right ankle, an MRI confirmed today.

He will remain on crutches 7-10 days and will not throw for another four to six weeks.

Kuwata, a 38-year-old right-hander who is the team's first Japanese signee, was injured Monday when colliding with home plate umpire Wally Bell at McKechnie Field. His spring ERA was 4.05 in five appearances, including 1 2/3 scoreless innings yesterday.

Asked this morning how his ankle was feeling, Kuwata laughed and replied, "Not OK."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.