SoftBank Hawks demote Taiwanese pitcher Hsu Ruo-hsi after rough outing

The SoftBank Hawks have demoted Taiwanese pitcher Hsu Ruo-hsi to the minor leagues following a disastrous start where he gave up seven runs in just 1.2 innings. This marks his most difficult outing in his professional career in Japan. While the team suffered a heavy 13-4 loss, General Manager Kenji Johjima, a former MLB catcher, offered a measured perspective.

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Although it's not the situation we hoped for, a situation like yesterday is within expectations for him to grow to a higher level.

Johjima acknowledged that while this wasn't the desired outcome, such performances are part of the development process for a pitcher aiming for higher levels. He stressed that Hsu must be able to consistently contribute to the starting rotation throughout the season and improve his output. The GM specifically mentioned that Hsu's current performance is not yet sufficient for him to challenge for a spot in Major League Baseball or to become a representative pitcher for NPB.

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Ultimately, he must carry the starting rotation for the entire season and further improve his output. If he wants to challenge for Major League Baseball or become a representative pitcher for NPB, this is not yet enough.

The team's plan involves Hsu working on his development in the minor leagues, with the expectation that he will identify areas for improvement and strengthen his abilities. Johjima believes that while frustrating, these setbacks are crucial for growth. The hope is for Hsu to find his form again in May, demonstrating the resilience and learning capacity expected of a professional athlete aiming for the top tiers of baseball.

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Next, we will proceed according to the team's (strengthening) plan, and he should have already felt how to grow to the next step and what abilities to reinforce. Although it will be very frustrating, people grow through regret.