On the 21st, Nippon-Ham announced that pitcher Aneurys Zabala, Drew VerHagen, pitcher Micah Yonamine would be leaving the team.

Verhagen returned to Nippon-Ham last season after a three-year absence. He was in poor condition last season and only managed two wins. He was hoping to bounce back this season, but he only managed three wins in six appearances.

Zavala pitched in 16 games last season, his first year in Japan, with a 1.20 ERA, but was sidelined in August and has not played since. This season, he has pitched in just two games.