Giants Release Six Players, Including 2022 Top Draft Pick Asano
Listen to the story
The Yomiuri Giants, a top Japanese baseball team, have released six players from the squad. The group includes outfielder Shogo Asano, who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2022.
Asano underwent surgery on his right knee in August. The team is expected to offer him a development contract, a lower-tier deal often given to injured or young players who need more time to improve.
The other players set to be released include Ryuji Kitaura and Yamato Suzuki. Like Asano, they are expected to receive offers for development contracts rather than full roster spots.
However, one player, pitcher Dai Yuasa, received different news. The Giants gave him a release notice without mentioning a future deal, suggesting his time with the team has ended.
This wave of roster changes comes just two days after Hideki Matsui, a former star player, was named the Giants' new manager. His appointment was announced suddenly and surprised many fans.
It is common for Japanese baseball teams to make major roster decisions around a change in management. Fans are now watching to see how Matsui will shape the team going forward.
Vocabulary6 words
- draft pick
- a player chosen by a team in a special selection event
- surgery
- medical treatment that involves cutting the body to fix a problem
- development contract
- a lower, training-level contract for a player
- released
- let go from a team; no longer a member
- release notice
- an official message saying a player is leaving the team
- manager
- the head coach who runs a sports team
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Quiz
Answer key
1. He was the Giants' first-round pick 2. A development contract 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Yomiuri Giants, a top Japanese baseball team, have _____ six players from the squad. The group includes outfielder Shogo Asano, who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2022.
Asano underwent _____ on his right knee in August. The team is expected to offer him a development _____.
The other players set to be released include Ryuji Kitaura and Yamato _____.
However, one player, pitcher Dai _____, received different news. The Giants gave him a release notice without mentioning a future deal.
This wave of roster changes comes just two days after Hideki _____, a former star player, was named the Giants' new manager.
It is common for Japanese baseball teams to make major roster _____ around a change in management.
Discussion questions
- Why might a team offer a development contract instead of fully releasing a player?
- How might an injury affect a young player's career path?
- Why do sports teams often make big roster changes when a new manager arrives?
- What challenges might Hideki Matsui face as a new manager?
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