NPB All-Star Livan Moinelo (28) has agreed to a four-year contract extension with the SoftBank Hawks, reportedly worth 4 billion yen (approximately 26.4 million USD). This deal comes as Moinelo’s current contract was going to expire after this season, marking a significant commitment from both player and team. Moinelo, considered as one of the premier relief pitchers in Japan, is transitioning to a starting role this season.
Last season, Moinelo’s campaign was cut short due to an elbow injury. Prior to his injury last season, Moinelo had a 0.98 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 27.2 innings. He underwent surgery and rehabbed in Cuba during the offseason, where he pitched for the Artemisa Cazadores in the Liga Elite league. In his debut, he pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out four.
Since joining the SoftBank Hawks in 2017, he has a career 1.95 ERA, 19-9 record, 40 saves, 422 strikeouts, and 135 holds in NPB.