Hiroshima Carp Release Ginji Hasebe: “In This World, Results Are Everything” — Despite Strong Farm-Team Numbers Last Season, He Made No First-Team Appearances in 2026

The Hiroshima Toyo Carp informed pitcher Ginji Hasebe, 28, on October 24 that he would not be offered a contract for the 2027 season.

“In this world, results are everything. I wasn’t able to produce them,” Hasebe said, accepting the outcome after making just 10 first-team appearances over four seasons with the club.

Hasebe played for Chukyo University Chukyo High School, Keio University, and Toyota Motor Corporation before being selected by Hiroshima in the sixth round of the 2022 NPB Draft.

He made five first-team appearances in each of the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Despite limited opportunities with the top squad, he put together an impressive campaign with the farm team last year. He began the season with 23 consecutive scoreless appearances and finished with a 1–1 record, two saves, and a 2.18 ERA across 35 games.

Even with those numbers, he was unable to increase his first-team opportunities.

“There are also considerations involving the first team, and I wasn’t able to make a strong enough impression at spring training to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. I think my own lack of ability was the biggest factor,” he said.

Hasebe continued to experiment and make adjustments throughout the 2026 season, but his results deteriorated. He appeared in 21 farm-team games, finishing with no wins, three losses, and a 9.86 ERA. He did not make a single first-team appearance.

Ultimately, despite the promise he had shown in the farm system the previous year, Hasebe was unable to translate that performance into a lasting opportunity with Hiroshima’s first team.