Softbank Hawks announced that Ryuta Inagawa pitcher (22), the second pick in the draft, underwent left knee lateral meniscus reconstruction surgery at a hospital in Saga City. With 2~3 months left before returning to competition, a comeback within this season has become hopeless. The right-hander, a Kyushu University graduate, made his professional debut as the fourth pitcher in the April 1 game against Rakuten Eagles (Rakuten Eagles Mobile), but was pulled after runs with two Walk to four hitter and two wild pitches. He was demoted to the second team the following day.

The team acquired the negotiating rights to Stanford University infielder Rintaro Sasaki (21) with their first overall draft pick, but he was selected in the eighth round of the MLB draft by the Marlins. Inagawa, the second pick who was expected to be an immediate contributor, was also unable to contribute this season. Among the rookies, third-round pick right-handed pitcher Gota Suzuki from Osaka Commercial University has appeared in 22 games as reliever, recording 1 win, 0 losses, 2 ERA, and an ERA of 2.10.