SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 2 DeNA vs Softbank Hawks (25th, Yokohama)

Softbank Hawks' Yudai Yamamoto was named in the starting line-up as the 'number 7 catcher.' The 28-year-old joined from DeNA in May through a trade for Ogata and Inoue. In the first game on the 24th, he was struck by a Hit by Pitch near his left wrist in the 11th extra inning and was subsequently substituted out. After the game, Manager Kokubo commented, 'We'll see how he is when he arrives tomorrow,' leading to concerns about his condition, but he was in the starting lineup again today.

In an interview after practice, he replied, "I had it treated and cured." Following the previous night where he recorded two hits, he once again showed his presence in both offense and defense today.

Softbank Hawks 's starting line-up is as follows:

1 (One) Masaki

2 (middle) Zhou Higashi

3 (Right Field) Kondo

4 (3) Kurihara

5 (LF) Yanagita

6 (2) Makihara Dai

7 (Catcher) Yu Yamamoto

8 (SS) Shoji

9 (P) Moinelo