<figure id="attachment_421821" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-421821" style="width: 2291px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="ca5e0919"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/04/2d4154a2ff8f131284585765332cab32.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-421821" class="wp-caption-text">Sakamoto&#8217;s defensive skills are alive and well, but defensive solidity is not enough.</figcaption></figure>
<h2> I have to choose one or the other.&#8221;</h2>
<p> 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 &#8220;No. 6 and third base&#8221; in the season opener.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> 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&#8217;t hit like this, he&#8217;s useless.</span></p>
<p> Another outfielder, Hisayoshi Nagano, 40, who has been with the first team since the season&#8217;s opening day, watched Sakamoto, the leader of the slumping lineup, with some bitterness as he sat on the bench warming.</p>
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<p><span class="strongInContent"> 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&#8217;s demotion. &#8230;&#8230;</span></p>
<p> The problem is when Sakamoto returns to the first team after a stint on the farm.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Manager Abe said after the season started, &#8220;The first batter in the lineup is Hayato. He was very excited about it. From Nagano&#8217;s point of view, the role was taken away from him.</span><span class="strongInContent"> 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&#8217;s supporters across the country were concerned. When we contacted them, Nagano said, &#8220;I&#8217;ll do my best! Nagano was said to have behaved stout-heartedly.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> On the other hand, he lamented to a close team staff member, &#8220;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 &#8220;character clash&#8221; 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,&#8221; said a baseball team official.</span></p>
<p> An alumnus of the baseball world who has experience as a manager said, &#8220;From Abe&#8217;s point of view, he only needs one substitute hitter. It&#8217;s terrible that he has to choose between Sakamoto and Nagano, but that&#8217;s the manager&#8217;s job.</p>
<p> The two players&#8217; departure is being watched with bated breath by those around them.</p>
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 Kyodo News

 On April 15, 36-year-old infielder Hayato Sakamoto of the Giants was struck from the first-team roster for the first time this season. His batting average had been low since the open season. ......

The slumping Yuto Sakamoto of the Giants and Hisayoshi Nagano &#8220;share the same character&#8221;&#8230; Leaders are worried about how to use the two veteran right-handers.

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.

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