Hsu Jo-Hsi Sent Down to Minors as Planned, Koji Akiyama: 'Growth Comes from Unwillingness'
Taiwanese pitcher Hsu Jo-Hsi has been demoted to the minor league by the SoftBank Hawks as part of a pre-determined plan. Manager Hiroki Kokubo stated the decision was not related to his recent performance, and Chief Baseball Officer Koji Akiyama expressed confidence that the player's frustration will drive his growth.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 17:20
- 🔍 Collected: April 18, 2026 at 17:31 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 18:01 (29 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA reporter Su Chih-wen, Taipei, April 18) Japanese professional baseball team SoftBank Hawks today sent Taiwanese pitcher Hsu Jo-Hsi to the minor league. Manager Hiroki Kokubo explained that this was part of an existing plan and unrelated to his pitching performance yesterday. Chief Baseball Officer Koji Akiyama stated that he believes Hsu feels unwilling, but his talent will grow from this.
Unlike his first two appearances where he pitched a total of 13 innings and allowed only 1 run, Hsu Jo-Hsi gave up 7 earned runs on 2 home runs in 1.2 innings against the Orix Buffaloes yesterday, increasing his ERA to 4.91. Today, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks club removed him from the roster and sent him down to the minor league.
According to Japanese media 'Nishinippon Shimbun', Kokubo said that removing him from the roster was a pre-arranged plan. "Even if he pitched well, he would have skipped one start in the rotation. This is not because of yesterday's game result, but a planned schedule."
Kokubo also mentioned that Hsu Jo-Hsi did not report any fatigue, and they plan to arrange a strengthening training menu for him. He will be reinstated to the starting rotation as soon as his body is in a condition to handle games.
'Sponichi Annex' interviewed the club's Chief Baseball Officer (CBO), Koji Akiyama. Akiyama stated that yesterday's situation was within expectations, and the goal is to have him maintain his spot in the rotation for the entire season. "With his current skills, he still has a way to go to reach his goal of Major League Baseball or becoming a representative pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball."
Regarding SoftBank's development plan, Akiyama expressed hope for Hsu Jo-Hsi's return to form in May. "I think he himself must feel what areas need improvement. Although he will feel unwilling, people do not grow without a feeling of unwillingness." (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150418
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(CNA reporter Su Chih-wen, Taipei, April 18) Japanese professional baseball team SoftBank Hawks today sent Taiwanese pitcher Hsu Jo-Hsi to the minor league. Manager Hiroki Kokubo explained that this was part of an existing plan and unrelated to his pitching performance yesterday. Chief Baseball Officer Koji Akiyama stated that he believes Hsu feels unwilling, but his talent will grow from this.
Unlike his first two appearances where he pitched a total of 13 innings and allowed only 1 run, Hsu Jo-Hsi gave up 7 earned runs on 2 home runs in 1.2 innings against the Orix Buffaloes yesterday, increasing his ERA to 4.91. Today, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks club removed him from the roster and sent him down to the minor league.
According to Japanese media 'Nishinippon Shimbun', Kokubo said that removing him from the roster was a pre-arranged plan. "Even if he pitched well, he would have skipped one start in the rotation. This is not because of yesterday's game result, but a planned schedule."
Kokubo also mentioned that Hsu Jo-Hsi did not report any fatigue, and they plan to arrange a strengthening training menu for him. He will be reinstated to the starting rotation as soon as his body is in a condition to handle games.
'Sponichi Annex' interviewed the club's Chief Baseball Officer (CBO), Koji Akiyama. Akiyama stated that yesterday's situation was within expectations, and the goal is to have him maintain his spot in the rotation for the entire season. "With his current skills, he still has a way to go to reach his goal of Major League Baseball or becoming a representative pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball."
Regarding SoftBank's development plan, Akiyama expressed hope for Hsu Jo-Hsi's return to form in May. "I think he himself must feel what areas need improvement. Although he will feel unwilling, people do not grow without a feeling of unwillingness." (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150418
Choose to stand with the facts. Your sponsorship is the power to protect the freedom of news.
Download CNA's 'First-Hand News' APP for real-time updates.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, or transmitted without authorization.
Keywords: None