[Softbank Hawks] pitcher Coach Shinji Kurano says they will continue with an eight-man starting rotation even after the league season resumes: "I think we will definitely need seven or eight pitchers." They are not insisting on using six pitchers every six days.

Sports Hochi

Softbank Hawks Hawks pitcher chief coach Shinji Kurano

 ソフトバンク・倉野信次投手チーフコーチ兼ヘッドコーディネーターが16日、リーグ戦再開後も6人の先発ローテにこだわらず、柔軟に起用していく方針を明かした。この日はみずほペイペイドームで投手練習。交流戦を終え、リーグ再開後の初戦となる19日の日本ハム戦(エスコン)は、大津が先発する見込みだ。

In the interleague games, eight players, including young players like Maeda Yu and Almenta, took turns as starters. The relief pitchers were also stable, with Osuna, Matsumoto Yu, and Sugiyama forming a solid winning pattern. The team went 14-4, increasing their lead by 10 games. Coach Kurano summarized the 18 games in which the team fought together as one, saying, "Everyone did a great job. With the starting rotation not fixed, I think reliever pitchers supported the team. And the starters also fulfilled their minimum roles. To be honest, I feel they did better than I expected."

 右肘のコンディション不良でファーム調整が続く上沢も、14日にファーム・リーグの阪神戦(タマスタ筑後)で復帰2試合目の登板。右腕も「痛みはない」と話している中で、倉野コーチも「体さえ問題なければとは思っている」と言及した。1軍復帰に向けた調整は、最終段階に入っているとみられる。

 19日から再開されるリーグ戦については「若い選手が多いので、ローテーションをずっと回っていく投手が今はそんなにいるわけではない。うまく休ませながら、というところは考えています。そのために7、8人はどうしても必要になると思う」と力説した。

Article provided by:Sports Hochi (opens in a new window)

Featured
Pacific League News

[Softbank Hawks] pitcher Coach Shinji Kurano says they will continue with an eight-man starting rotation even after the league season resumes: "I think we will definitely need seven or eight pitchers." They are not insisting on using six pitchers every six days.