◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Seibu Lions (12th, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)
Softbank Hawks removed outfielder Tatsuru Yanagimachi and pitcher Shuto Ogata, who was traded to DeNA, from their active roster. They added outfielder Keita Yamamoto to their roster.
Yanagimachi had a breakout season last year, winning the title for the highest on-base percentage. This season, he was expected to be a regular outfield, but in 31 games he has a batting average of .208, 0 Home Run, and 13 RBI. When asked about his condition, manager Kokubo said, "As you can see." Yamamoto had a good season in the minor leagues, batting .356 with 1 Home Run and 16 RBI.
![[Photo] Aya Ueto looks stunning! A gorgeous first pitch ceremony](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[Scoreboard] Softbank Hawks vs. Seibu Lions](/asset/img/news/source/logo_hochi.png){kind=logo}
![[Softbank Hawks] Manager Hiroki Kokubo has confirmed that trade acquisition Yudai Yamamoto will be promoted on the 13th: "He's the best catcher in Central League," "I have high expectations for him, including his hitting"... The plan to use Ryoya Kurihara as catcher has effectively disappeared.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/12/20260512-OHT1I51199-L.jpg)
![[DeNA] Manager Ryoji Aikawa: "Of course there are personal feelings involved." Starting catcher Yudai Yamamoto has been catcher to Softbank Hawks in a surprise move.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/12/20260512-OHT1I51147-L.jpg)
![[Softbank Hawks] Shuto Ogata, who was traded to DeNA, vows to break the NPB record for fastest pitch by a Japanese player at 165 km/h: "I can achieve it by the time I'm 34."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/05/12/20260512-OHT1I51145-L.jpg)
