Assigned the number #00, Houlton eventually became the team's closer in the absence of the team's ace closer Takahiro Mahara.
Despite pitching well in spring training and not giving up a single run, Germano did not win a spot on SoftBank's Opening Day roster, as the Hawks were at the limit of foreign players on the roster (Chris Aguila, Kameron Loe, D.J. Houlton, and Brian Falkenborg).