Seibu Lions Chihiro Sumida pitcher (26) signed a contract renewal at the team's office in Tokorozawa, Saitama, on March 3 for a salary of 160 million yen, an increase of 70 million yen (estimated amount). He will be the fastest left-hander to break the 100 million yen mark in his fifth year as a pro next season.

In his fourth year as a pro, he achieved his first double-digit 10-win season, pitching in 23 games with a record of 10 wins and 10 losses with ERA of 2.59, and is driving the team forward as a left-handed and right-handed ace alongside Imai. He was also selected as a member of Samurai Japan to play in the "LUXAS Samurai Japan Series 2025 Japan vs. Korea" held on November 15th and 16th, and there is a possibility he will play in the WBC, which begins next spring.

The left-hander said that the possibility of opening pitcher was also mentioned by the club. Next season, Imai and Takahashi, who both defended the starting rotation, may be leaked together, and their role as the team's winning head is required. "It would be cool if we could win the championship without the two of us, and to be honest, there is a hole that cannot be filled, but I hope that the whole team can understand it and fill in the hole and win the championship."