SoftBank pitcher Hsu Jo-hsi undergoes back surgery

SoftBank Hawks pitcher Hsu Jo-hsi has undergone surgery to address a herniated disc in his lower back, a procedure his former coach believes is crucial for his long-term health.

The 25-year-old Taiwanese pitcher had surgery on July 15 in Japan for a herniated disc in his right L5 vertebra. The team announced the surgery was successful and expects him to recover in two to three months. This timeline means Hsu will miss the upcoming Asian Games.

“

To solve this situation, having surgery is better.

Ye Chun-chang, Hsu's former coach at Wei Chuan Dragons, explained that the condition is similar to swelling that compresses nerves due to fatigue. He recalled Hsu experiencing discomfort before the 2023 Asia Baseball Championship, for which he received injections. "This kind of situation is rare, and I remember it hardly ever affected his season," Ye said.

However, for Hsu's future, Ye emphasized the importance of surgical intervention to permanently resolve the issue. "To solve this situation, having surgery is better," he stated. If Hsu's rehabilitation proceeds smoothly, he might still be able to play for SoftBank during the playoffs in October.

“

This kind of situation is rare, and I remember it hardly ever affected his season.