Seibu Lions Wataru Matsumoto pitcher (29) signed a contract renewal at the team's office in Tokorozawa, Saitama, on April 4 for 40 million yen, a decrease of 8 million yen. (Amount is estimated).

In his seventh year as a pro, he pitched in just three games, his lowest total to date, with a record of 0 wins and 2 losses, and no wins. ERA was also a dismal 6.43, and he commented, "Last year, for the first time in my life, I was injured so badly that I couldn't pitch. I'm grateful that the rehabilitation trainer helped me get back to pitching. But my goal was to recover and play in the first team, so I'm very disappointed that I couldn't achieve that."

With Imai and Takahashi expected to leave next season, there will be an opening in the starting rotation. Aiming to secure a spot in the rotation, he emphasized, "I will definitely prepare so that I can throw good pitches from the very beginning."