Softbank Hawks Hawks pitcher Livan Moinelo, whose arrival in Japan has been delayed due to his participation in the WBC with Cuba, was explained by pitcher coach Shinji Kurano. "We have checked the flight schedule, and he will not be arriving today," he said, denying the rumor that he would arrive on the 23rd. "He is scheduled to arrive before the opening day," meaning he will join the team by the 27th at the latest. Cuba is experiencing a serious fuel shortage, resulting in numerous large-scale power outages and making it difficult to contact the outside world. According to sources, the journey from Cuba to Fukuoka, including connecting flights, will take a full two days. Softbank Hawks has already removed Moinelo from their opening day rotation.

Francis Romero, a journalist belonging to the American Baseball Writers' Association, posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on the 22nd (Japan time) that "according to multiple sources, Cuban star pitcher Raidel Martinez and Liván Moinelo are scheduled to rejoin their teams tomorrow (22nd = 23rd Japan time)." Manager Kokubo also said on the 22nd that "rumors say tomorrow," indicating that there is information that they will be arriving in Japan on the 23rd.