Fukuoka Softbank Hawks right-handers Nagisa Arakaki and Hirofumi Yamanaka have been dealt to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in a trade for shortstop Keizo Kawashima and lefty Ryo Hidaka, sources said on Sunday.
The Hawks are hoping to bolster their roster as they aim for their first Pacific League pennant in three years, while the Swallows, currently in last place in the Central League, face the task of remodeling their pitching staff in the second half of the season.
Arakaki, 34, joined the then-Daiei Hawks as a premium pre-draft signing in 2003. He has not pitched this season but owns a 60-50 record with a 3.82 career ERA. Second-year pitcher Yamanaka, 28, is 0-2 in 18 career appearances.
Kawashima, 30, has played in 433 career games in stints with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and Yakult. Hidaka, 24, is 5-3 in a total of 85 games.