Three Cuban players saw action on Wednesday during Spring Training in the Japanese Professional Baseball League. One of them made his debut in the preseason, he was left-hander Livan Moinelo, who pitched for the first time since injuring his elbow last season.
Moinelo worked the eighth inning to notch a hold by not allowing a score in the Softbank Hawks’ victory over the Yakult Swallows 2-0. The game took place at the Pay Pay in Fukuoka, where the black and white team is already training.
The hurler from Pinar del Río,Cuba did not allow any hits and struck out an opponent during his outing. This year, Moinelo’s main objective is to convert into a starter in his career for the first time. For this he must begin little by little to build up his volume of pitches.
Dayan Viciedo went hitless in three visits to the batter’s box, the first baseman also hit fifth in the Chunichi’s lineup. The team from Nagoya tied at one run with the Orix Buffaloes. Viciedo flied out in his first and third at-bats to the right fielder and on his second visit to the dish he was retired via the strikeout.
Christian Rodríguez entered the clash as a defensive replacement and failed in two trips to the plate. So far, the Villa Clara, Cuba native has two hits in ten at-bats this spring to leave his average at .200. Rodríguez has gone hitless in his last six at-bats over the last three games.