Cuban pitcher Liván Moinelo delivered a stellar performance on Tuesday in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), pitching a complete game shutout. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks triumphed 9-0 over the Chiba Lotte Marines, marking Moinelo's third win in as many starts this season.
As reported by the state-run Cubadebate, Moinelo, hailing from Pinar del Río, took command from the first pitch. He allowed just three hits, issued two walks, and struck out nine batters, establishing a dominant presence on the mound.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly his return to the mound in the ninth inning. Having thrown 99 pitches by then, Moinelo opted against handing over the game to the bullpen, choosing instead to complete the shutout with a total of 115 pitches.
The Road to Recovery and Return
Moinelo's performance is even more impressive considering the journey he took to get there. A shoulder injury in May sidelined him for the early part of the season, necessitating a rehabilitation stint that included minor league appearances in late July.
He made a swift return to the main roster on August 12, pitching six shutout innings against the same Marines in a 16-2 victory. His second outing a week later saw another win against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (7-1).
Since rejoining the team, Moinelo has pitched 21 innings, conceding just nine hits and one earned run, while amassing 21 strikeouts and boasting a minuscule ERA of 0.43.
A Legacy of Excellence
Moinelo's current streak follows an extraordinary 2025 season where he was named MVP of the Pacific League—the first Cuban and foreign player to earn the honor since 2017. He recorded 12 wins, three losses, a 1.46 ERA, and struck out 172 batters over 167 innings.
In 2024, he made history by winning the Pacific League ERA title with a 1.88 ERA over 163 innings, becoming the first Latin American to achieve this feat in the league.
Born in San Juan y Martínez, Pinar del Río, the left-hander signed with the SoftBank Hawks in May 2017 and has since risen to become one of the NPB's most formidable players.
Moinelo isn't the only Cuban making waves in Japanese baseball this season. Raidel Martínez, closer for the Yomiuri Giants, leads the Central League with 35 saves, showcasing the significant impact of Cuban players in the Japanese circuit.
With a flawless record of three wins in three starts and an almost perfect ERA following a season-threatening injury, Moinelo reaffirms that the form which earned him the MVP title remains as robust as ever.
Liván Moinelo's Impact in Japanese Baseball
How did Liván Moinelo perform in his recent game?
Liván Moinelo pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits, two walks, and striking out nine batters in a 9-0 victory.
What challenges did Moinelo face earlier this season?
Moinelo was sidelined by a shoulder injury in May, which required him to undergo rehabilitation and miss the early part of the season.
Who is another Cuban player excelling in NPB?
Raidel Martínez, a closer for the Yomiuri Giants, is another Cuban player excelling in NPB, leading the Central League with 35 saves.