Fukuoka Softbank Hawks manager Sadaharu Oh, who recently left the hospital after an extended rehabilitation following surgery to remove his stomach, will continue to skipper the Pacific League team next season, the club announced Wednesday.
Oh was last in charge of the team for its regular season game against the Seibu Lions on July 5.
He left Fukuoka the following day to enter Keio University Hospital in Tokyo for surgery after he was diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer.
The all-time Japanese home run king also rested for the Pacific League playoffs but the 66-year-old will be at the helm for a 13th season as the club announced its staff for the first and second teams.