On Tuesday, Cuban pitcher Liván Moinelo made a spectacular comeback to Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), delivering an outstanding performance in the SoftBank Hawks' commanding 16-2 victory over the Chiba Lotte Marines. It was a display of control and precision, requiring just 90 pitches, 54 of which were strikes, marking his first start of the 2026 season. Tuesday's game also marked a milestone for Moinelo, as it was his 50th start since transitioning to a starter role in Japanese baseball, underscoring his stable career in the NPB. Overcoming Early Season ChallengesThe start of the 2026 season wasn't without its challenges. After participating in the World Baseball Classic with Cuba in March, rumors circulated that SoftBank had lost contact with Moinelo.