Pitcher Ryo Akiyoshi, who joins the professional baseball softbank from the independent league, met in Fukuoka City on the 19th and expressed his enthusiasm, "I want to do my best to help the Hawks."
33-year-old pitcher Akiyoshi served as a middle reliever and closer at Yakult and Nippon-Ham for eight years from 2014, pitched in 379 games, and left a record of 20 wins, 24 losses, 71 saves, and 78 holds.
He had a free contract with Nippon-Ham last season off and was playing for an independent league team in Fukui prefecture this season.
Pitcher Akiyoshi decided to join Softbank and met in Fukuoka City on the 19th.
Pitcher Akiyoshi said, "I was disappointed with the free contract. I am very happy to be able to join the team."
He said, "I think I'm in a position to win the league. I want to do my best to help the Hawks. I want to aim to throw in the winning game."
He has a number of 49.
General Manager Sugihiko Mikasa was hoping that he would contribute as an important piece in the second half of the race.