Rakuten Monkeys Release Pitcher Sweeney, Add Japanese Hurler Sakakibara

The Rakuten Monkeys have made a significant roster change, removing foreign pitcher Max Sweeney and adding Japanese pitcher Motoki Sakakibara. Sweeney, who had pitched in 9 games this season with 8 starts, was taken off the active roster after failing to impress.

Sweeney's performance this season included a 1-4 win-loss record with a 5.08 earned run average over 44.1 innings pitched. He allowed 53 hits and issued 27 walks while striking out only 21 batters. His recent outing on June 18 against the Wei Chuan Dragons saw him give up 4 runs in 3 innings of relief, which was considered unsatisfactory and led to his demotion to the minor league the following day. His subsequent removal from the roster makes him the second foreign player this season to be released by a Chinese Professional Baseball League team, following Chris Rick of the CTBC Brothers.

Sakakibara joins the Monkeys after a successful stint in Japan's Baseball Challenge League (BC League). Last year, he achieved the most wins, most strikeouts, MVP award, and was named to the Best Nine pitchers in the league. The Rakuten Monkeys initially signed him as a developmental foreign player. However, his performance in the minor league this season has been challenging. In 9 appearances, with 8 starts, he pitched 37.2 innings, giving up 49 hits, and holds a 1-2 record with a 7.17 ERA. His last four starts have been particularly difficult, allowing 23 runs in 11.2 innings.

In addition to the pitching change, the Rakuten Monkeys also adjusted their roster between the first and second teams. Pitchers Liu Jia-xiang and Lin Cheng-fei were promoted to the main roster, while Chen Po-hao and Xu He-jie were sent down to the minor league. Liu Jia-xiang is scheduled to start today's game against the Fubon Guardians, and Lin Cheng-fei will play third base and bat sixth.