Fukuoka Softbank Hawks right-handed pitcher Rick VandenHurk could get his first start of the season against the Hiroshima Carp on June 14, the final day of interleague play. VandenHurk had been conditioning with the Hawks’ minor league team because the major league club did not have enough foreign player slots to include him on the roster. With a four-day break after the end of interleague play, the Hawks could temporarily remove Jason Standridge, the probable starter for the June 13th matchup, from the lineup to make way for VandenHurk. VandenHurk, who is originally from the Netherlands, led the Korean league with 180 strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA last season before signing with the Hawks in the offseason. He missed the start of this year’s minor league season with tightness is his left adductor muscle, but since his return, he has won five games and leads the minors in both ERA and strikeouts. Sho Iwasaki’s name has also been floated as a potential starter, so it will be interesting to see what moves the team makes. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 6/9
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