Japanese officials are considering stricter rules for amateur players who bypass the country's leagues to play in Major League Baseball.

Concern with the existing rules arose after high school pitcher Shohei Otani decided to pursue a career in the Majors.

Japan's teams are looking for tougher rules to keep talented young players in the country.

''If there is a better system for the teams and for the players we should consider it,'' Hiroshima Carp general manager Kiyoaki Suzuki said.