Rakuten pitcher Masahiro Ehara (25) attended contract negotiations at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi on the 1st and signed for 14 million yen, an increase of 4 million yen (all amounts are estimates). Having joined the team from Nippon Steel Stainless Steel this season, he is the only rookie pitcher to make the opening day first-team roster. Despite being demoted to the second team, he has gained experience and earned his first professional win on September 15th against the Lotte Marines, closer one scoreless runs. He has pitched in 30 games, posting a record of 1 win, 1 loss, 1 hold, and ERA of 3.45.

Looking back on this season, he said, "I pitched a lot, but I don't think my performance was something that would reassure people," reflecting on the fact that he often allowed runner closer with Walk and other things while holding the opposition in check. "There were two or three times when my performance periodically went downhill and I was sent down to the farm team. I think my first goal is to be able to maintain good form for the whole year," he said, focusing on stabilizing his performance throughout the season. He wrote "leap" on the autograph board and spoke confidently, "I want to have a year where I get better results than this season, pitch more, and make that kind of appearance."