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Rick van den Hurk likely to start in July 2 game for Hawks

Byyankeebiscuitfan
(poor) translation of article on Japanese sports website

Several newspapers in Japan are stating that Rick van den Hurk may start the NPB game of July 2nd for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks vs the Seibu Lions.

In the last few days, Rick took part in the pitcher practice in Saitozaki training camp.

According to sources, Jason Standridge will be pulled from the roster the roster again.

Rick recently had two starts for the Hawks at NPB level. The first one on June 14 vs the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, team of former Dodgers and Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.  Van den Hurk lasted six innings and gave up two runs, of which one earned. In these six innings, Rick struck out six, walked none and gave up six hits. The Hawks beat the Hiroshima Toyo Carp 7-2 in that game.

In his second start, Van den Hurk and the Hawks trailed for 6.5 innings. Rick was pulled after the seventh inning. But an offensive outburst in the bottom of the seventh, in which the Hawks scored four runs, gave him the win. Rick threw 117 pitches to strike out thirteen, walk one and to give up two runs on five hits.

I understand that the Softbank Hawks have to deal with the limited number of foreigners allowed on an NPB roster. But I don’t understand this juggling with players. According to sources, the Hawks’ manager likes Edison Barrios too much to send him down. If the Softbank Hawks will continue dealing with Van den Hurk like this, it looks like they are platooning Van den Hurk and Standridge for a spot in the starting rotation. 😉

EDIT: According to Yakyubaka.com Edison Barrios has been removed from the roster today. This would make room for Rick van den Hurk.
Barrios

It has been confirmed on the twitter account of the NPB:

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