SoftBank Hawks Roster Shake-up: Kensuke Kondo on Special Leave, Rookie Ryukei Takahashi Earns First Top-Team Call-up
On May 17, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) announced several roster moves for the Pacific League. For the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, star outfielder Kensuke Kondo was removed from the active roster under the "Bereavement and Congratulatory Leave Exception." In his place, the team has promoted rookie infielder Ryukei Takahashi, their fifth-round draft pick, marking his first call-up to the top team since turning professional. Kondo’s deactivation is a special administrative measure intended to accommodate family matters, allowing him to be re-registered before the standard 10-day waiting period expires. While losing a cornerstone of the lineup like Kondo is a significant blow, it provides a major opportunity for Takahashi, a promising young talent out of JR East. Takahashi has been impressing in the farm league with a high on-base percentage and is expected to contribute with his wide defensive range. On the same day, pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa was also removed from the active ro...