The SoftBank Hawks can finally breathe a sigh of freedom. After a period of radio silence that left the reigning Pacific League MVP’s status in limbo, star left-hander Livan Moinelo is reportedly headed back to Japan.
Moinelo’s trail went cold following Cuba’s final Pool A matchup against Canada on March 11. Since that game, the Hawks had been unable to establish contact with their ace, a situation Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo confirmed to local Japanese media earlier this week.
“It seems we can’t get in touch with him,” Kokubo admitted, sparking concerns about the pitcher’s availability for Opening Day.
The communication breakdown appears rooted in the ongoing domestic crisis in Cuba. The island is currently grappling with widespread power grid failures and a severe aviation fuel shortage.
Moinelo and fellow Cuban standout Raidel Martinez are expected to touch down in Japan as early as tomorrow to rejoin their respective clubs ahead of the March 28 season opener.
Moinelo’s dominance in the NPB
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The Hawks’ anxiety over Moinelo’s absence is well-founded. The southpaw is coming off a historic 2025 campaign where he established himself as the premier arm in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
He even etched his name into the SoftBank record books last season, racking up a franchise-record 18 strikeouts in a single eight-inning outing.
- 2025 Regular Season Stats:
- ERA: 1.46 (1st in League)
- Wins: 12 (Tied-1st)
- Strikeouts: 172 (2nd)
- WHIP: 0.92 (1st)
- Quality Starts: 21 of 24 (1st)
World Baseball Classic performance
Moinelo carried that momentum into international play, serving as the anchor of the Cuban staff during the World Baseball Classic. Facing elite global competition, he remained virtually untouchable.
- WBC Tournament Stats:
- ERA: 0.00
- Innings Pitched: 7.2
- Strikeouts: 11
- WHIP: 0.65
- Opponent BA: .115
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Will Moinelo maintain his level in the Japanese league and win the championship this season?
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