Fubon Guardians First Team Maintains Two Foreign Pitchers, Manager Kotsuno Mitsutaka Praises Local Starters' Performance
Following the departure of foreign slugger Luis Liberato, the Fubon Guardians are maintaining two foreign pitchers in their first team. Manager Kotsuno Mitsutaka states this setup is fine if good results continue and praises the performance of local starting pitchers.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 18:34
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 19:02 (27 min after Published)
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Central News Agency (Reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, New Taipei, 8th) – Following the departure of foreign slugger Luis Liberato, the CPBL Fubon Guardians currently maintain a two-foreign-pitcher configuration in their first team. Manager Kotsuno Mitsutaka stated that if good results continue, this setup is acceptable, but adjustments will be made if circumstances change. He also believes the team's local starting pitchers are performing well.
Fubon Guardians' foreign slugger Luis Liberato left the team due to personal family reasons. The team currently has two foreign pitchers, Shawn Morimando and Suzuki Shunsuke, in the first team, while foreign pitchers Aaron Wilkerson, Erick Leal, and Abe Yudai are in the minor league.
Erick Leal had a rehabilitation game in the minor league today, pitching 4 innings with 72 pitches, allowing 5 hits, striking out 5, walking 2, and giving up 1 earned run, with no decision.
When asked about potential adjustments to the foreign player configuration after Luis Liberato's departure, Fubon Guardians Manager Kotsuno Mitsutaka stated that there are no further adjustment plans yet. He added that if the first team continues to perform well with two foreign pitchers, it's acceptable to continue this way, but adjustments will be made as needed.
Abe Yudai is playing in the Fubon Guardians' minor league as a developmental foreign pitcher. His previous minor league appearance was on the 3rd against the CTBC Brothers, where he pitched 6 innings with 77 pitches, allowed 3 hits, struck out 7, and gave up no runs, earning the win.
Kotsuno Mitsutaka stated that he would continue to observe the foreign pitchers in the minor league. When asked if Abe Yudai has gradually become familiar with CPBL hitters, he replied that the data suggests so, but further comprehensive consideration and judgment are required.
Fubon Guardians' foreign slugger Luis Liberato left the team due to personal family reasons. The team currently has two foreign pitchers, Shawn Morimando and Suzuki Shunsuke, in the first team, while foreign pitchers Aaron Wilkerson, Erick Leal, and Abe Yudai are in the minor league.
Erick Leal had a rehabilitation game in the minor league today, pitching 4 innings with 72 pitches, allowing 5 hits, striking out 5, walking 2, and giving up 1 earned run, with no decision.
When asked about potential adjustments to the foreign player configuration after Luis Liberato's departure, Fubon Guardians Manager Kotsuno Mitsutaka stated that there are no further adjustment plans yet. He added that if the first team continues to perform well with two foreign pitchers, it's acceptable to continue this way, but adjustments will be made as needed.
Abe Yudai is playing in the Fubon Guardians' minor league as a developmental foreign pitcher. His previous minor league appearance was on the 3rd against the CTBC Brothers, where he pitched 6 innings with 77 pitches, allowed 3 hits, struck out 7, and gave up no runs, earning the win.
Kotsuno Mitsutaka stated that he would continue to observe the foreign pitchers in the minor league. When asked if Abe Yudai has gradually become familiar with CPBL hitters, he replied that the data suggests so, but further comprehensive consideration and judgment are required.