Nippon-Ham-Ham Fighters manager Shinjo says, "Katsuchan is scary when he has multiple runner on base." He also talks about his new relief pitcher, who has four home runs in five games, saying, "He's got to follow the signs..." | Pacific League

[Nippon-Ham] Manager Shinjo: "Kacchan is scary when he has multiple runner on base." To the new foreign player who has hit four home runs in five games, "He has to follow the signs..."

Sports Hochi

March 11, 2026 18:06

With one out and a runner on first in the eighth inning, Castro (right) hit a two-run home run over the left infield defense and base running coach Taniuchi (photo by Tomomi Watanabe).

◆Pre-season Rakuten Eagles 1-3 Nippon-Ham (11th, Shizuoka)

Nippon-Ham On February 11, Tsuyoshi Shinjo, 54, the manager of the Japan Professional Baseball League, issued an early "memorize signs" order to Castro, a new foreigner. Rakuten Eagles Home Run He started at second base in a 0-0 8th inning win over the New York Yankees in an open game at Shizuoka, Japan, and hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning. On this day, there were times runner when it took time to exchange signs at first base, and he cited adapting to the complicated Shinjo baseball as an issue, saying, "I'm still afraid of Kacchan (Castro) when he goes out for multiple runner hits.

Castro took the criticism seriously, saying, "I've never been on a team with so many signs, it's a really different kind baseball. I understand that's what it's like to play baseball in a different country, so I'll just get used to it." The Dominican, who has 22 Home Run in MLB, is mastering the signs and moving closer to a starting starting line-up. (Haruki Kawakami)