On the 4th, the Softbank Hawks announced that pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa underwent right elbow joint cleaning surgery for right olecranon bone spur disorder at a hospital in Saga City earlier that day, and the procedure was completed successfully. He is expected to return to competition in 3 to 4 months.

Uwasawa did not reach the regulation innings pitched this season, his second since transferring, but he pitched 135 1/3 innings over 22 games, recording 10 wins, 4 losses, and an ERA of 2.39. With last season's wins leader Kohei Arihara leaving the team and ace Moinelo getting a late start, he led the team as a key member of the starting rotation.