Read the full story on SportsLook - [NOTES on a SCORECARD] Lions in Tough Spot with Star Hotaka Yamakawa over Sexual Assault Case
The Saitama Seibu Lions, currently mired in fifth place in NPB's Pacific League, are facing a difficult decision following the recent move by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to forward sexual assault charges on slugger Hotaka Yamakawa to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Yamakawa, a 31-year-old slugger and three-time Pacific League home run champion, is accused of assaulting a female acquaintance in her 20s in a Tokyo hotel room in November 2022.
On May 12, the Lions removed Yamakawa, a member of Japan's World Baseball Classic-winning squad in March, from their active roster, essentially suspending him.
Therefore, the question becomes: What does the team do next?
Yamakawa, a married father with children, claims the relations with the woman were consensual. The fact that she went to the police indicates she disagrees.
Regardless of what the actual truth is, the damage to Yamakawa's reputation has been done and he has embarrassed the Lions with his actions.
Expect Yamakawa to be Traded
Despite his perceived value to the club, Notes on a Scorecard believes the team will try to trade him to a franchise far away from Tokyo.
Continue to read the full story on SportsLook.
Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on Twitter @sportsjapan.
