On Tuesday, Cuban pitcher Liván Moinelo made a spectacular comeback to Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), delivering an outstanding performance in the SoftBank Hawks' commanding 16-2 victory over the Chiba Lotte Marines.
The left-hander from Pinar del Río pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only four hits, issuing no walks, and striking out five batters. It was a display of control and precision, requiring just 90 pitches, 54 of which were strikes, marking his first start of the 2026 season.
This return bore significant weight as Moinelo had been sidelined with a left shoulder issue since May, delaying his NPB debut for the first half of the year. After undergoing rehabilitation in the minor leagues, manager Hiroki Kokubo confirmed Moinelo's readiness to rejoin the main squad. His comeback was sealed on July 31, when he pitched six innings, allowing just one run and striking out six, with his fastball reaching 151 km/h.
Tuesday's game also marked a milestone for Moinelo, as it was his 50th start since transitioning to a starter role in Japanese baseball, underscoring his stable career in the NPB.
Moinelo's Impressive Track Record
Moinelo returns as the reigning Pacific League's best pitcher from 2025, a season where he earned the MVP title with 12 wins, a 1.46 ERA, and 172 strikeouts across 24 starts. He became the first Cuban to receive this honor and the first foreign player to do so since 2017.
In October 2024, Moinelo made history by winning the Pacific League's ERA title with a 1.88, becoming the first Latin American to achieve this feat, alongside receiving his first Gold Glove in Japan.
Overcoming Early Season Challenges
The start of the 2026 season wasn't without its challenges. After participating in the World Baseball Classic with Cuba in March, rumors circulated that SoftBank had lost contact with Moinelo. However, these were dispelled by the National Institute of Sports of Pinar del Río, confirming that the pitcher was preparing for his journey back to Japan.
With Tuesday's stellar performance, Moinelo takes the first step to reclaim the form that crowned him the top pitcher in the Pacific League, with the remainder of the 2026 season ahead.
Liván Moinelo's Return to NPB: Key Questions Answered
What was Liván Moinelo's performance like in his return to NPB?
Liván Moinelo pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits with no walks, and struck out five batters, showcasing exceptional control and effectiveness.
Why was Moinelo sidelined for the first half of the 2026 NPB season?
Moinelo was dealing with a left shoulder injury that kept him from making his season debut until he completed a successful rehabilitation stint in the minor leagues.
How has Moinelo performed in previous NPB seasons?
In 2025, Moinelo was named the Pacific League MVP with 12 wins and a 1.46 ERA. He also made history in 2024 by becoming the first Latin American to win the ERA title, posting a 1.88 ERA.