On the 6th, Rakuten announced that outfielder Kazuki Tanaka (31) underwent cleaning surgery on both elbow joints at a hospital in Kanagawa Prefecture. He is expected to be unable to return to play for three to four months. This is Tanaka's ninth season and he made the opening day roster for the first team, starting in left field as the ninth starting line-up in the opening game against Orix on March 28th (Kyocera Dome). However, he failed to produce results and was demoted to the second team twice. After being removed from the roster for the third time on August 3rd, he has been relegated to the farm team. This season, he played in 19 games, finishing with one hit 18 At Bat-bats and a batting average of .56.
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・ [Rakuten] Wataru Karashima undergoes left elbow surgery, 3-4 months until return to the game
・ [Rakuten] Harassment prevention training held following pitcher Tomohiro Anraku scandal; Players' Association President Kazuki Tanaka says, "We have to adapt to the times."
・ [Rakuten] Shota Watanabe undergoes right elbow cleaning surgery, returning to the game in 3-4 months, ending his season
・ [DeNA] Kazuki Kamizato undergoes right elbow cleaning surgery "I'll come back stronger"
