On the 4th, Lotte announced that pitcher Kota Futaki will retire from active play and become a team staff member.

Through the team, Futogi commented, "Right now, I have nothing but gratitude. During spring training in my first year as a professional, I had the opportunity to practice with my senior professional players for the first time, but I couldn't keep up and thought, ``I can't do this.'' But in the end, I was able to continue as a professional baseball player for 12 long years, and I believe it was only because of the support of everyone around me, including those who cheered me on. Thank you so much. From now on, I will do my best for The Marines as a team staff member. I would like to work hard for the team in return for all the support I have received up until now, so I would like to ask for your continued support."

Niki was drafted 6th overall in the 2001 draft, and in his third year, 2004, he won 7 games, including his first win as a pro, and in the following year, 2005, he reached the regulation innings pitched level for the first time. In 2008, he won a season-high 9 games, and the following year he started pitcher the season, but in 2011 and 2012 he made no appearances for the first time in 3 years. 25 years later, on October 5, he made his first appearance in the first game Softbank in 3 years, On October 6, he was notified that he would not sign a contract for the next season.