The slumping Yuto Sakamoto of the Giants and Hisayoshi Nagano “share the same character”… Leaders are worried about how to use the two veteran right-handers.

I have to choose one or the other.”

On April 15, infielder Hayato Sakamoto (36) of the Giants was struck from the first-team roster for the first time this season. His batting average had been low since the opening game, but manager Shinnosuke Abe (46) had been patient, starting him at “No. 6 and third base” in the season opener.

However, in the 11 games he played, he had only four hits. With a batting average of .129 and no arches, he is clearly not an asset. His defensive ability is still there, but if he can’t hit like this, he’s useless.

Another outfielder, Hisayoshi Nagano, 40, who has been with the first team since the season’s opening day, watched Sakamoto, the leader of the slumping lineup, with some bitterness as he sat on the bench warming.

On April 13, his fifth game of the season, he made his first start in the No. 2 spot in left field against Hiroshima at Mazda Stadium, but all of his other appearances have been as a substitute. Nagano is expected to be an experienced right fielder who can also hit long balls, but he and Sakamoto have the same character. I think his future opportunities will increase with Sakamoto’s demotion. ……

The problem is when Sakamoto returns to the first team after a stint on the farm.

Manager Abe said after the season started, “The first batter in the lineup is Hayato. He was very excited about it. From Nagano’s point of view, the role was taken away from him. However, Sakamoto and Nagano were once allies who shared the title of most hits. Nagano still loves Sakamoto like a younger brother. Nagano is a nice guy, so he was very mature and did not show any signs of regret. Nagano’s supporters across the country were concerned. When we contacted them, Nagano said, “I’ll do my best! Nagano was said to have behaved stout-heartedly.

On the other hand, he lamented to a close team staff member, “What should we do? For the time being, the Giants bench is likely to regain its composure, but if one of them makes a mistake, one of them may lose his place due to the “character clash” between the two veterans. It is very encouraging for the team to have two strong right-handed hitters who can be sent out at the critical moment,” said a baseball team official.

An alumnus of the baseball world who has experience as a manager said, “From Abe’s point of view, he only needs one substitute hitter. It’s terrible that he has to choose between Sakamoto and Nagano, but that’s the manager’s job.

The two players’ departure is being watched with bated breath by those around them.