Hokkaido Nippon-Ham agree to contract extra inning with Ruei-Yang Gu Lin and Yi-Lei Sun
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Ruei-Yang Gu Lin pitcher, Yi-Lei Sun The team announced that it had reached an agreement with pitcher on a contract extra inning for the 2026 season.
Although pitcher was sidelined this season due to injury, he returned to the first team towards the end of the season and started in the fifth game of the final stage of the 2025 Persol CS Pacific League, pitching well, allowing only two hit and no runs in 4.2 innings. Son was registered as a controlled pitcher in May and pitched in nine games.
▼Comment pitcher Furubayashi▼
"I would like to thank everyone involved with the team for giving me the opportunity to play as a member of Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the 2026 season. Due to an injury this season, I was unable to fully contribute to the team, but I will train hard this offseason and return even stronger so that I can be a valuable asset to the team throughout next season. Also, this was my first year with The Fighters, and the fans welcomed me warmly and gave me so much strength. Thank you so much. I look forward to fighting alongside all of you The Fighters fans again next season."
▼Comment pitcher Son▼
"I would like to thank everyone involved with the team for giving me the opportunity to continue playing for Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the 2026 season. I am also truly looking forward to meeting all The Fighters fans again. In the 2025 season, I pitched in many games and gained valuable experience as a player. I will continue to practice hard this offseason, further improving myself, and hope to contribute to the team's progress toward becoming the best in Japan next season."
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham to begin accepting group ticket applications for the 2026 season on November 20th
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters will begin accepting group ticket applications for the 2026 season from 1:00 PM on Thursday, November 20, 2025. For designated games in April and May, early applicants will receive a free jersey. A new plan will also be available exclusively for school groups, with a towel featuring the school's name.
Tohoku Rakuten Masato Watanabe appointed infield defense base running coach
Tohoku Rakuten announced that Masato Watanabe will be infield defense base running coach for the 2026 season. Watanabe served as a coach for the SSG Landers of the Korea Professional baseball (KBO) for two years from 2024 to 2025.
Tohoku Yan-Cheng Wang 's Oh Rakuten cheng transfers to the KBO Hanwha The Eagles
Tohoku Rakuten pitcher Yan-Cheng Wang has decided to transfer to the Hanwha The Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). Originally from Taiwan, pitcher has been with Tohoku Rakuten for seven years, since 2019. While he did not make it to the regular roster, he pitched in 22 farm games this season, finishing with 10 wins (5 losses) and ERA of 3.26, second in Eastern League.
Tohoku Rakuten signed development contracts with Kazuto Tokuyama, Takuma Matsuda, and Ginji Maeda
Tohoku Rakuten announced that it has reached an agreement with pitcher Kazuto Tokuyama pitcher Takuma Matsuda, and Ginji Maeda on development player contracts for the 2026 season. pitcher, who was drafted second in 2024, underwent Tommy John surgery in July of this year, while Matsuda, pitcher fifth in 2023, underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his right olecranon in May of this year and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. Maeda, who was drafted third in 2021, ruptured his Achilles tendon in February of this year. He has already returned to practice, but will play as a development player next season.
◇Press conference held with Saitama Seibu 's third draft pick, Shun Akiyama
Saitama Seibu held a press conference after negotiations for the signing of third-round draft pick Shun Akiyama (Chukyo University).
▼ Comments from Shun Akiyama ▼
"After the draft, I've been approached more and more with each passing day, and I've gradually become aware that I'm being watched. The Lions are a team made up mainly of young players, so I want to make sure I fit in and not only live up to expectations, but also repay them with results that exceed them. I'll be taking thorough care of my health in the period leading up to moving into the dormitory, and I'll be preparing so that I can enter training camp in top condition and without injury."
◇Press conference held for Saitama Seibu 's 5th draft pick, Yokota Sowa
Saitama Seibu held a press conference after negotiations for the signing of No. 5 draft pick, Yokota Sowa (Yamamura Gakuen High School).
▼Comment from Sowa Yokota▼
"Now that I've received my informal acceptance, it really feels like I'm taking my first step as a professional. I'm preparing thoroughly, both mentally and technically, as I move into the dormitory. As it's my hometown team, I'm sure my friends will come to support me, so I want to perform well enough to live up to their expectations and become someone who can inspire the younger generation of players."
◇ Chiba Lotte Marines Kota Futaki 's retirement commemorative goods available for order online
Chiba Lotte Marines announced his retirement at the end of this season on The Marines Online Store from 12:00 noon tomorrow, November 14th (Friday) until 11:59 pm on the 24th (Monday, national holiday). Kota Futaki We take orders for merchandise commemorating pitchers' pitcher.
The commemorative goods this time feature a design featuring pitcher Niki pitch and the words "THANK YOU," and the lineup includes a total of seven products, including T-shirts, face towels, and acrylic panels.
▼ pitcher Niki's comment▼
"I've been given the opportunity to sell commemorative goods to mark my retirement. I'd like to thank all the fans who have supported me up until now. The time I spent with The Marines is a treasure in my life. The warm cheers you've always given me have given me strength, allowing me to continue pitching to this point. I would be happy if I can convey even a little of that gratitude through these goods."
▼ pitcher Kota Futaki retirement commemorative goods product details▼
T-shirt (white, black / sizes: S, M, L, XL): 3,800 yen
Tote bag: 2,300 yen
Face towel: 2,000 yen
Mini acrylic stand: 1,300 yen
Acrylic stand: 2,300 yen
Acrylic panel: 3,500 yen
Drawstring bag and acrylic keychain set: 2,000 yen
*All prices include tax
Orix 's Kohei Azuma has completed right elbow cleaning surgery
Orix Kohei Azuma pitcher Kohei Higashi underwent right elbow cleaning surgery at a hospital in Yokohama today. He will undergo rehabilitation while monitoring the condition of the affected area.
pitcher has a record of 1 win and 2 losses with ERA of 3.12 in 6 games this season. He has not pitched in the first team since the game against Fukuoka Softbank on July 10th.
◇ Provisional contract with Sota Nakanishi, third-ranked in Orix development team
Orix announced that they have reached an agreement on a provisional contract with Sota Nakanishi, who was selected third in the development draft. number will be announced at the press conference announcing his joining the team.
▼Comment from Sota Nakanishi▼
"I've signed a provisional contract, and today I feel like I've really become a professional baseball player. My selling point is defense. I'm confident in the strength of my arm and the wide range of defense. In the future, I want to become a player who captivates fans with my spectacular defense. I want to show all my effort to the fans, with the motto of playing with all my might, so I hope you'll support me."
Fukuoka Softbank manager Hiroki Kokubo receives first-time "Shoriki Matsutaro Award"
The Shoriki Matsutaro Award for 2025 was announced. Manager Hiroki Kokubo, who led the team to its second consecutive league championship and first in Japan in five years Fukuoka Softbank ・Hiroki Kokubo won the award for the first time. This award is given to players and managers who have contributed to the development of professional baseball
▼ Director Kokubo comments.
I am very honored to receive the prestigious Shoriki Matsutaro Award. On behalf of the team, I would like to thank everyone involved and all of our fans from the bottom of my heart. We entered the season with the idea that this year we would make it to the top, and the players understood their roles and believed in win until the very end. I believe this attitude was the biggest factor in our winning this year's award.
This year's team slogan, "PS (Peace)! PS (Peace)!" This was the slogan for this year's team, and all of the members worked together as one piece with their Professional Spirit. As a coach, I am proud to have been able to lead a group of players who showed such resilience. In addition, the dedicated support of the coaches, staff, and front office, as well as the cheering of the fans, who were always warm and sometimes strict in their support of the team.
This award is the culmination of the efforts of the entire Fukuoka Softbank Hawks organization. We will continue to build a team that the people of Fukuoka and The Hawks fans nationwide can be proud of. Thank you very much."
Updated at 23:00, November 13, 2025
Updated almost every day! today Pacific League
Related Links
∙【Tohoku Rakuten】Regarding new coaches
・【Chiba Lotte Marines】11/14(Fri.) Kota Futaki pitcher Commemorative Retirement Commemorative Goods on Order!
∙【Hokkaido Nippon-Ham】Early Registration Campaign for 2026 Season Group Tickets!
・【Hokkaido Nippon-Ham】Ruei-Yang Gu Lin pitcher and contract extra inning agreement
・【Hokkaido Nippon-Ham】Yi-Lei Sun Contract with pitcher extra inning Agreement
