On the 10th, Orix Buffaloes pitcher Kento Kawase renewed his contract in Kochi City, where the team is currently holding its fall training camp, signing for 16 million yen, double his previous salary of 8 million yen. This season, his fifth year with the team, he made his first appearance on the opening day first team, and earned his first professional win on August 23rd against Rakuten (Rakuten Mobile Park). He had a breakthrough year with 1 win, 1 loss, 3 hold, and ERA of 2.66 in 23 games.
"They gave me a solid evaluation. They said I did a great job this season," he said with a smile. He then spoke of his challenges for next season, saying, "My performance has been in and out of whack this year. As a result, my body movements have been in and out of whack, so right now I'm just practicing using my lower body to throw."
Yamaoka, who pitched in 41 games as a relief pitcher this season, has been confirmed to return to the starting pitcher position next season. "I'll do what I'm told to do," he said, "while also pitching long (relief), I'd like to pitch in the sixth inning, which Yamaoka did this year, or the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings when there's no winning combination. I'd like to pitch in 40 or 50 games, more than this year," he said, putting himself forward as the "post-Yamaoka" pitcher.
Naruki Teranishi pitcher The right-hander, who won two games as a starter in his first year, said with a smile, "I have an allowance system. My mother manages my allowance, so I'm going to ask her to increase it a little bit," he said with a smile.
Other renewals include Shuna Hori catcher up ¥500,000 to ¥5.5 million and Tokumasa Chano outfielder down ¥2 million to ¥14 million.
Related News
・ [Orix] 2011 first-round draft pick, Seiya Yokoyama will receive a 500,000 yen cut to 6.5 million yen. "I'll be a regular next year." Ho Naito and Ryoma Ikeda also receive cuts.
・ [Orix] Sho Iwasaki announces he will not exercise his overseas free agent rights and will remain with the team. "baseball life has changed for the better." Taisuke Yamaoka also announces his intention to stay.
・ [Orix] Taisuke Yamaoka officially announces he will stay with the team and not exercise his domestic free agent rights. He will return to the starting lineup next season, saying, "I want to make Mamo the best manager in Japan."
・ [Orix] Taisuke Yamaoka officially announces his intention to stay with the team, saying, "Mamo-san will be the best manager in Japan." He will not exercise his domestic free agent rights, but will return to the starting lineup next season.
・ [Chunichi] Neo Takahiro's contract renewal: "We can't afford to be leisurely. We aim to be on the first team at the start of the season."
